The basis of computer programming is identifying the problem you want to solve, then breaking it down into steps to solve it. After that, you translate those steps into instructions the computer can understand, using a programming language like Python, C++, etc.
Basics of computer programming for beginners
11 mins read
Jul 15, 2025
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Imagine you just got a robot butler for your home.
It is ready to cook dinner, clean your room, or play music—but there’s one catch:
It doesn’t understand what you mean, only what you say. You can’t just tell, “Make me something tasty.” You have to give clear step-by-step instructions:
Open the fridge.
Take out the eggs.
Crack two eggs into a bowl.
Add seasoning and stir for 10 seconds.
Turn on the stove... and so on.
That’s exactly what programming is. It’s teaching your computer—your robot—how to do something, one simple step at a time.
In this guide, you’ll learn the 10 essential building blocks of programming using Python, one of the most beginner-friendly languages out there.
Programming in Python
Programming in Python
Python is a multi-purpose language with an extensive range of application domains, including basic programming, web development, data science, and machine learning. In this course, you’ll learn Python's programming fundamentals and constructs. Each concept offers ample hands-on experience with executable programs. You’ll learn the basic concepts of data types and structures as well as conditional and iterative constructs. You’ll learn functions, functional programming, and recursion. The course introduces object-oriented programming, providing experience with its various modules. Finally, you’ll learn advanced topics such as containership, iterators, generators, exception and file handling, concurrency, parallelism, and synchronization. After taking this course, you’ll be able to undertake advanced programming courses with specialized application domains using Python. The course provides a strong foundation for data science and machine learning careers, enabling you to become an effective data scientist.
What is computer programming?#
Computer programming is writing clear and precise instructions that a computer can follow.
As computers cannot think or make decisions like humans, we must guide them with clear steps—no vagueness, no missing steps.
The smallest mistakes in your instructions can lead the computer to crash or behave unexpectedly.
What is a programming language?#
We don’t write instructions in plain English because computers don’t understand human language. Instead, we use programming languages—special languages designed to be accessible to humans and machines.
Each programming language has its grammar and rules, but they all aim to do the same thing: bridge the gap between human thinking and machine execution.
Before we dive into the basics, there’s something more important and fundamental to understand:
Programming is not just about writing code. It’s about solving problems.
Every line you write helps solve a part of a bigger challenge.
Want to sort photos by date? That’s a problem.
Want to build a game? Another problem.
Want to automate sending emails? Still the same hurdle.
The goal of programming is to understand what needs to be done in order to break it down into simple steps that the computer can follow.
Note: For this guide, we’ll explore the basic concepts using Python. But remember: these ideas are universal and applicable to every major programming language.
Python as the language of choice#
There are many programming languages—from C++ to Python, Ruby to Go—each serving a different purpose. Some are designed for speed, others for handling large systems, and some for building web apps or mobile games.
Among them, Python stands out as one of the most beginner-friendly languages.
Its syntax is close to everyday English, making it easy to read and write. You don’t need to type a lot of code to get something working, and it’s used by everyone, from beginners to companies like Google and NASA.
Learn Python
Learn Python
This course uses an active learning approach to teach Python programming to beginners. You’ll interact with the code from the start, using everyday logic and fun challenges to build confidence. You will learn essential programming concepts through interactive examples and mini projects like input/output, decision-making, error handling, and simple logic. Whether new to coding or just starting with Python, this course provides the perfect foundation to develop your problem-solving skills and easily write your programs. More than anything else, this course aims to make you a lifelong learner and serve as a strong starting point for a successful career in computing. You don’t need any programming experience to begin.
10 Programming basics every beginner must know#
Whether you’re starting with Python, JavaScript, C++, or any other language, these 10 concepts form the foundation of everything you’ll learn in programming.
Now, we’ll look at each one, using simple examples, clear explanations, and real Python code to bring them to life.
Let’s begin.
1. Commands#
A command is a direct instruction to the computer to do something.
Just like you might say, “Turn on the light,” in programming, you provide the computer with a clear and specific action to perform.
In Python, a simple command to display a message on the screen looks like this:
Python
print "Hello World"
Note: Click the “Run” button to execute your code directly in the browser on the Educative platform. You don’t need to install local setups to run your code—everything works seamlessly on our platform!
Here, print is the command that instructs the computer to show something (“Hello World”, in this case) on the screen.
Commands are the most basic units in programming. By combining different commands, you can create more complex behaviors.
Try it yourself
Change “Hello, World!” to your name and run the code.
How does it feel to see your name printed by a computer?
Congratulations—you’re officially a coder now!
2. Comments#
Sometimes you must leave notes inside your code to explain what is happening.
These notes are called comments.
The computer ignores them, but they are very helpful for humans reading the code later.
Python 3.10.4
# This prints a greetingprint("Hello, world!")
Line 1 is a comment in the code above.
Good comments explain why you are doing something, not just what you do. As your programs get bigger, comments become more and more important for making things easier to follow.
You can use triple quotes ''' for multi-line comments in Python.
3. Variables#
In real life, you might store your friend’s phone number in your contacts so you do not have to memorize it.
Similarly, in programming, variables store information that can be used later.
Python
name = "Alex" # Storing the text "Alex" in a variable called 'name'print(name) # Displaying the value stored in 'name'
Here, name is a variable that holds the value Alex.
Variable names are case-sensitive. Name and name are different!
You can think of variables as labeled boxes that store different types of information—like numbers, text, or more complex data.
Variables are essential because they allow programs to remember things and work with changing information.
A variable can be updated, and the computer will remember the updated value. Try replacing "Alex" in line 2 with your name and run the code.
Python
name = "Alex"name = "Alex" # replace "Alex" with your nameprint(name)
4. Input and output#
Programs often need information from the outside world and then respond by producing some kind of output.
Input is how you ask the user for information.
Output is how you display the result.
Python 3.10.4
name = input() # Taking input from the user and storing it in the 'name' variableprint("Hello, " + name + "!") # Printing a personalized greeting using the input
Enter your name in the input field above, then run the code.
The
inputasks the user to type something.The
Without input and output, programs would run silently without interaction. Most useful programs—like games, apps, and websites—rely heavily on both.
5. Math operations#
Programming often involves doing math, sometimes simple, sometimes complex.
You can add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers easily.
Python 3.10.4
a = 10b = 5print(a + b) # Additionprint(a - b) # Subtractionprint(a * b) # Multiplicationprint(a / b) # Division
Besides basic operations, most programming languages provide ways to perform more advanced math, like finding square roots or working with percentages.
Calculations are used everywhere: from banking apps to scientific research programs.
6. Control flow#
You often make decisions based on certain situations. For example:
If it is raining, take an umbrella. Otherwise, wear sunglasses.
Programs work the same way: They let the computer make decisions based on what’s happening.
Python 3.10.4
age = 16 # Assign the value 16 to the variable 'age'if age >= 18: # Check if the person is 18 or olderprint("You can vote.") # This runs if the condition is trueelse:print("You are too young to vote.") # This runs if the condition is false
ifchecks a condition.elseprovides an alternative if the condition is not met.
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Execution of code depends on the condition being met
You can use elif to add more than two choices, like a chain of if / else if / else conditions.
Try it yourself
Change the value of age in the code and see what message you get. Try setting it to 18, 21, and 15.
We can use the following comparison operators in if statement conditions to compare values:
Comparison Operators
Operator | Operation | Description | Syntax | Results |
> | Greater than | True if the left operand is greater than the right operand |
| True |
< | Less than | True if the left operand is less than the right operand |
| False |
== | Equal to | True if both operands are equal |
| False |
!= | Not equal to | True if both operands are not equal |
| True |
>= | Greater than or equal to | True if the left operand is greater than or equal to the right operand |
| True |
<= | Less than or equal to | True if the left operand is less than or equal to the right operand |
| False |
Control flow is critical because it allows programs to react differently based on different inputs or situations.
7. Loops#
Sometimes you want the computer to repeat an action many times without writing it repeatedly.
That is where loops come in.
Python 3.10.4
for i in range(5): # Loop that runs 5 times (i = 0 to 4)print("Practice makes perfect!") # Prints the message each time
This prints the message five times.
Loop logic
Try it yourself
Change the range(5) to range(10) and see how many times it prints now. Try making it print your name instead!
There are different types of loops:
A
forloop repeats a set number of times.A
whileloop repeats until a condition changes.
You can also combine loops with if-else to make your program do smart things based on different situations.
Python 3.10.4
attempts = 5 # Set the number of attempts to 5while attempts > 0: # Keep looping while attempts are more than 0if attempts == 1: # If it's the last attemptprint("Last attempt remaining!")else:print(f"{attempts} attempts remaining") # Show how many attempts are leftattempts -= 1 # Decrease attempts by 1if attempts == 0: # When no attempts are leftprint("No attempts remaining. Account blocked.")
This code begins with 5 attempts and counts down with each failed attempt. When the attempts reach 0, a message says the account is blocked.
Loops are used everywhere—for processing lists, running games, or animating characters.
You can nest loops inside each other to build patterns, control animations, or handle advanced logic.
8. Functions#
If you have a set of steps you want to use many times, it makes sense to bundle them together into a function.
A function is like a mini program within your program.
Python 3.10.4
def greet(): # Define a function named 'greet'print("Hello!") # First message in the functionprint("Welcome to the program.") # Second message in the functiongreet() # Call the function (runs the code inside)greet() # Call it again
In this code, greet() is a function that prints a message. We call it twice, and it runs the same steps both times.
Functions help make your code:
Cleaner
Easier to read
Easier to fix or update
In large programs, functions are essential for organizing code into logical pieces.
A function can also take inputs (called parameters) and even return a value to your program. Also, we can have multiple functions in a program.
Python 3.10.4
def greet(): # Function1: Prints a welcome messageprint("Hello!")print("Welcome to the program.")def square(num): # Function2: Returns the square of a numberreturn num * numgreet () # Call Function1result = square(4) # Call Function2 with 4 as inputprint("Square is:", result) # Print the result from Function2
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After the main() function is called, the main function gets executed.
The second function takes a number as input and returns its square. We pass 4, and it gives back 16.
Want to master these concepts and build a real-world project along the way?
Check out our beginner-friendly Python course that focuses on practical learning and helps you build confidence step by step.
Start your coding journey today!
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This course focuses exclusively on teaching Python to beginners and demystifies procedural programming, grounding every new concept in the hands-on project they gradually build with the course. You will begin by understanding built-in functions for input and output, and then move on to user-defined functions. Moreover, you will learn the basic data types and their application. Next, you will learn about the various structures of programs you can write: sequential, selective, and iterative; eventually, you will apply everything you’ve learned to complete an interesting project. More than anything else, this course aims to make you a lifelong learner, and intends to act as a great start to your wonderful career in the world of computing.
9. Lists#
In real life, you might make a shopping list to remember multiple items.
In programming, a list stores multiple values together. A list is like a box that can hold many values—names, numbers, anything.
Python 3.10.4
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"] # Create a list of fruitsprint(fruits[0]) # Print the first item in the list ("apple")
List with indices in Python
Lists are ordered, meaning the items stay in the order you add them.
Each item in a list has a position number called an index, starting from 0.
You can also change/update an item in the list:
Python 3.10.4
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]fruits[0] = "mango" # Change the first item from "apple" to "mango"print(fruits[0]) # Print the updated first item ("mango")
Try it yourself
Change the index from 0 to 1 or 2 to print different fruits. Try replacing a fruit, too!
Lists are useful for working with groups of data, like a list of names, scores, or products.
10. Errors and debugging#
Errors happen when your instructions are unclear, incomplete, or incorrect.
Python 3.10.4
print("Hello
This will cause an error because the quotation mark is missing.
When you see an error, do not panic.
Errors are part of the learning process.
Most of programming is about trying something, seeing what went wrong, and fixing it. Every professional programmer deals with errors daily.
The key is to read the error messages carefully and figure out what needs to be corrected.
Types of common errors#
Understanding the type of error you’re facing helps you fix it faster:
Syntax errors: These happen when the code breaks the grammar rules of the language. An Example is missing quotes or open parentheses.
Runtime errors: These happen while the program is running. For example, dividing by zero or trying to use something that doesn’t exist yet.
Logic errors: These don’t crash your code, but your results will be wrong. For example, using the wrong formula or comparison.
Debugging tips#
Read error messages carefully—they often point you to the line and problem.
Use
print()to check the values of your variables.Break your code into smaller parts and test step by step.
Try using Python’s built-in debugger:
import pdb.
Remember: Errors are not failures—they’re feedback. Every bug you fix is a step forward.
Quick recap#
Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered so far:
Concept | What It Does |
Commands | Tell the computer exactly what to do, one clear step at a time. |
Comments | Leave notes inside your code to explain what you're doing (for yourself or others). |
Variables | Save values like names or numbers so you can use them later in your program. |
Input and output | Get data from the user (input) and show results or messages back (output). |
Math operations | Perform basic arithmetic like addition or more complex math when needed. |
Control flow | Choose what to do based on conditions, like “if this happens, then do that.” |
Loops | Automatically repeat a task as many times as needed without rewriting code. |
Functions | Group a set of steps under a name so you can reuse them whenever needed. |
Lists | Store and work with a collection of values, like a group of names or numbers. |
Errors | Understand and fix problems in your code when something goes wrong. |
Quiz yourself#
Use this short quiz to revise and test what you’ve learned in this guide. The goal is to reinforce your understanding through practice.
These questions cover the key ideas we introduced—from variables and loops to functions and lists.
Quiz on Programming Basics
1.
What is the purpose of a variable in programming?
A.
To print values
B.
To repeat tasks
C.
To store information
D.
To fix errors
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Don’t worry if you got some answers wrong—programming concepts take time to understand. Now that you've learnt the basics, it's time to get started with practice.
You’re learning to think in a whole new way, and that doesn’t happen overnight.
The best way to improve is to keep practicing, experimenting, and building things. Over time, it gets easier—and a lot more fun. Syntax alone won’t make you a developer—practice will!
If you're serious about learning through guided lessons and interactive exercises, start with our beginner-friendly courses—a fun and effective way to go from confused to confident.
What’s next?#
By now, you’ve covered the 10 essential building blocks of programming, from writing commands and using variables to building loops and functions. But this is just the beginning.
Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn as you level up:
Data types and data structures#
So far, you’ve worked with variables and lists. But programming offers a wide variety of tools to organize and manage information.
Common data types#
Data types classify the kind of data you're working with. The most common ones include:
# String – text valuegreeting = "Hello"# Boolean – True or False valueis_sunny = True# Integer – whole numberage = 42# Float – decimal numberpi = 3.14# Character – single letter or digit (in Python, this is still a string of length 1)grade = 'A'digit_char = '9'# Array – collection of values of the same type (in Python, we use lists)numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]names = ["Alice", "Bob", "Charlie"] # Array of strings
Data structures#
As programs grow, you need smarter ways to group and organize data. That’s where data structures come in. They allow for efficient access, updates, and processing.
Some important ones include:
Stacks: Last-In, First-Out (like undo history)
Queues: First-In, First-Out (like lines at a ticket counter)
Heaps: great for quick access to min/max values
Linked lists: flexible, chain-like structures
Trees: hierarchical data (like folders and files)
Graphs: represent networks and relationships (like social connections or maps)
Tables: structured data, often key-value based (like a dictionary or database)
Functional programming#
You’ve learned how to define and call functions. Functional programming takes that a step further. It focuses on pure functions, ones that return consistent outputs for the same inputs and avoid side effects like modifying variables outside their scope.
Why does that matter? Because it makes your code more predictable, reusable, and testable.
Example:
Python 3.10.4
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]def double(x):return x * 2doubled_numbers = list(map(double, numbers))print(doubled_numbers) # Output: [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]
Python 3.10.4
class Player:def __init__(self, name, level):self.name = nameself.level = leveldef greet(self):print("Hi, I'm", self.name, "and I'm level", self.level)player1 = Player("Alex", 5)player1.greet() # Output: Hi, I'm Alex and I'm level 5
There are four principles of OOP:
Conclusion#
You are already thinking like a programmer!!
Programming is not just about memorizing code. It is about thinking clearly, breaking problems down into smaller steps, and communicating with the computer in a language it understands.
Today, you learned the core building blocks that almost every program, app, and game in the world is built on.
The journey is just beginning, but you already have the right tools to keep going.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basis of computer programming?
What is the basis of computer programming?
How do I start learning computer programming?
How do I start learning computer programming?
What are the 4 basics of programming?
What are the 4 basics of programming?
What is program syntax?
What is program syntax?
What is the difference between coding and programming?
What is the difference between coding and programming?
What is Python used for?
What is Python used for?
Written By:
Ali Suleman
