programsis

Programsis is a term used in discussions of computer science education to refer to small, self-contained programming exercises that emphasize algorithmic thinking and problem-solving. Unlike larger assignments, programsi are designed to be completed in a single session and to illustrate a single concept or technique, such as recursion, data structures, or parsing.

The word is a neologism combining program and -sis, a suffix found in scholarly terms, and has appeared in online course syllabi and developer forums since the 2010s.

Typically, programsi are language-agnostic; instructors may provide test cases or a reference solution, but learners are encouraged to devise multiple approaches. They commonly emphasize clean interfaces, input validation, and robust handling of edge cases.

In education, programsi serve as warmups, formative assessments, or self-study exercises. They help learners practice writing clean code, learn to read and write tests, and build confidence with incremental challenges. Critics argue that the focus on small tasks can neglect larger design or integration considerations.

See also: coding challenge, programming kata, programming exercise.