In a computer, a program is a set of instructions that a user can write in order to perform specific functions. For example, a program can create a document or browse the Internet.
A project is a single effort that is undertaken to produce a unique product, service, or result, typically for a limited time frame and with a defined scope. Unlike programs, projects tend to have higher levels of uncertainty because they are more difficult to control and are usually split into multiple stages or phases (although not all projects last that long).
The most common way in which people make the mistake of confusing the two is by using the terms interchangeably, especially when talking about projects. This can be problematic, as the two have different aims and are not always aligned.
Whether you are in the primary school classroom or in an engineering firm, you have likely been taught to program your robots or some other physical object in order to move it around. The idea is to provide it with a series of instructions that will get it to the point it needs to be in order to complete its job.
This can be as simple as making it go from A to B or more complex, such as fetching a pencil for a student to use in maths. It can also be as complicated as reading data from temperature sensors or sorting it into complex schedules or reports.
There are many ways to write a program in a programming language, and each way of writing a program has its own advantages and disadvantages. A programmer should always choose the best method to ensure that the program will work well and be able to run as designed.
Some methods for ensuring that a program will work well include using a programming language, creating modules of functional cohesion and data coupling, and conducting a data flow analysis. A data flow analysis is a design method that involves laying out a data-flow diagram, which is a set of ovals representing different modules and their names.
Modules of functional cohesion are modules that have a sequence of function-like statements available, but only one is executed at a time. Examples of such modules include perform_arithmetic, perform_addition, and read_part_number_update_employee_record.
In the same way, modules of data coupling are modules that have a series of input parameters and only a single output. For example, perform_arithmetic has three parameters that can be used to calculate the difference between two numbers. A module of data coupling is also called a single-shot program.
Depending on the size of the program, it can be made up of several smaller modules that execute in parallel and are connected through the system’s logical interface. These modules may be linked together by data streams or by file descriptors.
Some programs are interactive, such as a command interpreter or a web browser that allows users to interact with the program directly. Others are batch programs, which do their work and then shut down. They can be triggered by a user or by another interactive program, such as a print job.