Program (machine)

A program is a list of instructions written in a programming language that is used to control the behavior of a machine.

Description

Computer programs control the behavior of computers.

Examples of programs include:

• The sequence of cards used by a Jacquard loom to produce a given pattern within weaved cloth. Invented in 1801, it used holes in punched cards to represent sewing loom arm movements in order to generate decorative patterns automatically.

• A file containing a list of instructions to be executed by a computer.

• Barrels, punched cards and music rolls encoding music to be played by player pianos, fairground organs, barrel organs and music boxes.

Execution

The execution of a program is a series of actions following the instructions it contains.

Each instruction produces effects that alter the state of the machine according to its predefined meaning.

See also

• Algorithm
• Computer
• Computer program
• Execution
• Instruction
• Programming language
• Machine
• Software

External Links

• Program (machine) @ Wikipedia