Introduction to Programming Transcript

In the next part of our course we begin to explore how programmers use computer
programming languages. Learning a programming language can be intimidating, and
understandably so it's called a language for a reason. If you've never been exposed
programming the beginning can be kind of like hopping on a plane to a foreign country and
being expected to get by without knowing any of the native language learning language takes
time, effort and practice and so does computer programming. Our goal here is to provide you a
conceptual higher level ideas of media programming, as well as a few detail oriented, basics to
help you begin the process. By the end, we hope to dispel some apprehension and show you the
power you can wheeled as an artist with digital tools.

Just like the right paintbrush aids a painter, the choice of programming tool can have a
significant impact on the final product and the journey. For example the cross platform graphical
programming environment Max MSP is a versatile program for multimedia. It is capable of
doing any number of creative things, including interfacing with other devices like remotes, the
leap game, track, track pads, etc. however, Max MSP was originally created by and four
musicians so it is still best suited for designiIt is called graphical because it doesn't use lines of
code but rather boxes, icons and images as metaphor so you can visualize how things are
connected with patch cords interfaces typically intuitive to electronic musicians who are used to
patching cords from analog units through and what not for some people this makes a lot of
sense. For others, tiny floating boxes with lines between them don, but text baselines of code 2
so sometimes your language of choice depends not only on your end goal, but also on your
personal preference and experience is for different purposes for different operating systems
and different levels. Like spoken languages, some come From the same roots and have similar
execution. Others influence the development of new languages. Sometimes, students ask
themselves why they need to learn a program program isn't that the job of the programmer on
your team? Well, yes. Sometimes you will have that luxury and you won't be the one
programming if you don't want to. This may even be the status quo. But if you can learn to do it
yourself, you can maintain control of your own project and you greatly expand your abilities as
an artist. There are also a few less obvious reasons to consider learning to program yourself.
The first reason is to be able to work out early stage prototypes, examples or models of an
application or interaction. Perhaps you have an idea and you need to prove Ida proof of concept.
You can mock up a prototype with basic programming skills.A really good programming
language for prototyping is processing, an open source, free, cross platform, programming,
language, and development environment. It was originally developed for visual artists as an
entry point to program programming for media arts and to promote software literacy. As its
roots are visual arts, it is a wise choice for visually based projects. However, alongside visual
production, it also has a focus on real time feedback, interaction, and animation capabilities.
Like Max MSP, it is well documented, and therefore accessible to beginners who want to learn.
Another reason is to improve communication collaboration. Remember that programming is
and even if you do outsource your project, you'll need to speak the basics of the language to
effectively communicate with team members. Collaboration becomes both more efficient and a
richer experience when communication is clear and members understand each other. Even
exposure to foreign terminology can help. Here are some terms to get you started.

Syntax is essentially the grammar of the language. I know it drives you and me crazy when
someone uses the wrong form of your. But at least your brain is capable of figuring out the
meaning of the sentence computers are not, unless they are told beforehand. So you do need to
be very specific about the syntax or where you put your punctuation.

Pixels
An image on your computer is made up of pixels.
Remember back to middle school and grab some graph paper and color color in a few small
squares. Each little square is like one pixel of the image and has its own unique identity to find
by where it is on the graph paper or digitally on the screen or window. Size of windows and
familiar image sizes are defined in pixel values.
Variables
A variable is a letter or a word that stands in for a number. When you declare or assign variables,
you need to know if it is an integer or a float. An integer has no decimal points and a float does.
The difference between these two can cause you to lose hours of your life debugging code!
Functions are predefined by the language coding for example, if I tell you to draw a circle, you
can do it because you know what a circle is. A function is something that a computer has
already been told. So in fact, I can tell processing to draw a circle and it knows what I mean as
long as I use the correct language. Those variables are also parameters which the program to
perform the function in this case the parameters are size and placement of the circle on the
screen.

Comments
when you write a program is incredibly useful to have a way of commenting your code so that
you and others return to it, you know right away what a snippet code does. It says a lot of time
and hassle to have well commented code comments don't impact the code. They just serve
essentially a sticky notes.
Loops
A Loop is a programming statement that repeats a given number of times or until a specific goal
is met.

Going forward think about your own experience and interest and what you might want to
accomplish in programming computers, and which programming languages you're gravitating
towards. Finding your own good reason for the program makes the process easier, more
fulfilling, and more productive. It helps to focus your interest among the wide variety of things
you could learn to do and keeps you motivated to keep growing and learning.