Compiled – A compiler takes
the source code a programmer has written and turns it into code text that a
computer can easily execute. Code text is a sequence of instructions
for the computer stored in memory.
Instruction – An instruction tells the computer what to do, but it is
very low-level. Unlike source
code, it works at the microprocessor level
telling the computer what elementary steps to take to execute the program.
Source code – this is the
code that the programmer writes in a high-level language like Java, BASIC, or,
in this case, C. A high-level language is one that
humans can easily read and understand.
Execute – To execute the
program means to “run” it. The two
terms can be used interchangeably.
To execute an instruction means to do
it. It is the process of seeing
what the instruction is, and then doing it.
Jump – A jump occurs when
the computer is told to start executing instructions somewhere else besides the
next instruction after the
current one being executed.
Program counter – The
instructions are stored as a sequence of numbers in the computer just like
anything else. The computer usually
executes one instruction after another unless it is told to jump somewhere
else. The program counter keeps track
of what instruction in memory is being executed at any given time.
Subroutine – Good
programmers break they’re program up into smaller steps called
subroutines. A program to make coffee could be broken
up into preparing the filter, putting water in the coffee maker, and turning
the coffee maker on. Each of these subroutines can be broken
down into more subroutines.
Putting water in the coffee maker could be
broken down into get a cup, turn on the sink, put the cup under the sink, turn
off the sink when the cup is
full…