Book 3, Question 81
Why Do Computers Need Programs?
A program is a list of instructions that a computer follows. Without programs, a computer is just a quiet box of chips. Inside, electricity flips tiny switches called bits on and off.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 3
More fun facts
- A computer program is a list of instructions that a computer can understand.
- A program is a bit like a recipe: a list of steps to follow in order.
- Writing a computer program is often called coding.
- Programs are written in special languages called code.
- People who write programs are called computer programmers.
- A single instruction in a program is called a command.
Questions kids ask
What is coding?
Coding is writing instructions, in a special language called code, that tell a computer what to do.