Elements of general programming

Whatever programming language you use, the following 3 elements are essential.

• Assignment of variables

      x = 1 ;
      x = x + 2 ;
  

  • = means assignment. Distinguish it from ``eqaul'' sign in mathematical equations.

  • Compiler doesn't care what name you use for a variable.

    rollInMySweetBabysArms = 2 ;
    SCREAMER100 = 0 ;
    buZZ_bEE = 4 ;
    

  • Allowed characters and lengths for a variable name depends on programming languages.

  • Use self-explanatory name without being too verbose.

    popSize = 100 ;
    ocRate = 0.3 ;
    

• Conditional

  if (popSize < 1000)
  	popSize = popSize + 1;
  

  When a certain condition is met, execute a block of code.

• Loop

  popSize = 1 ;
  while (popSize < 10) {
  	popSize = popSize + 1;
  }
  

  It will keep repeating the sequence of events as long as a specific condition is satisfied.