programmering

Programmering, or programming, is the process of designing, writing, testing, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. It is a core activity in software development and spans applications from operating systems and servers to mobile apps and embedded devices. Programmers use programming languages to instruct computers to perform tasks, solve problems, or automate processes.

Historically, programmering evolved from machine code and assembly languages to high-level languages in the mid-20th century. Early languages such as FORTRAN and Lisp gave way to C, C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript, among many others. Contemporary programming encompasses multiple paradigms, including imperative, object-oriented, functional, and declarative styles, each offering different approaches to structuring logic and data.

Key concepts include algorithms, data structures, control flow, and abstraction. Software is built in modular components with interfaces that enable reuse and maintenance. Development typically involves testing, debugging, and optimization, guided by version control, code reviews, and documentation. Common practices include iterative development, continuous integration, and, in some organizations, DevOps and continuous delivery.

Tools used by programmers include compilers and interpreters, integrated development environments, debuggers, and build systems. Version control systems such as Git are standard for collaboration. Education typically occurs in computer science or software engineering, though many pursue it through self-learning and practice.

Programmering also raises considerations related to software quality, security, privacy, accessibility, and ethics. Open-source communities and licensing influence how code is shared and reused. The domain continues to evolve with new languages, frameworks, and development practices shaping how software is created and maintained. In Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, programmering is the term used for programming.