---
title: "1. Introduction to Programming"
description: 'A high-level overview of programming concepts, history, and where C fits in the landscape.'
---
In this lesson you'll get a high-level view of programming and where C fits.

## What is programming?

Programming is writing instructions a computer can execute. Programs are built from simple operations composed into larger behaviors.

## A very brief history

- Early automation: Hero of Alexandria's devices; Jacquard loom punched cards.
- Foundations: Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine; Ada Lovelace's algorithms.
- Computation theory: Alan Turing's model of computation.
- C's lineage: developed by Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs (1970s) for UNIX.

## Compilers vs. interpreters

- Compiler: translates source to machine code before running (C).
- Interpreter: executes directly, translating as it goes (Python, JS engines).

## High-level vs. low-level

- High-level: easier to write, portable; hides hardware details.
- Low-level: closer to hardware; more control and performance.

## Examples

### Hello World (`hello_world.c`)

The simplest C program illustrates the basic structure every C program follows:

```c
#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    printf("Hello, World!\n");
    return 0;
}
```