Programmer

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/programmer

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the core function?Authoring computer source code, which are detailed instructions for computers
2. What is the key skills?Requires logical thinking, algorithmic design, problem-solving, and proficiency in programming languages
3. Why are programmers important?They build the software that powers phones, computers, and the internet, and help create new technologies like AI and big data tools.
4. How did programming start?It began with early mechanical machines in the 1800s, then grew with electronic computers in the 1900s, moving from punch cards to high‑level languages like FORTRAN.

Source Code: The human-readable set of instructions written in a programming language that directs a computer's operations.
Programming Language: A formal system of notation and rules used to write computer programs, such as Python, Java, or C++.
Software Developer: A professional who designs, creates, tests, and maintains software applications and systems.
Algorithm: A step-by-step procedure or formula for solving a problem or accomplishing a task.