Kitty Programming Tutorial

0.0 Programming

Programming is the same no matter what language you use. There are gives and takes in all languages, and even with who wrote each individual version of each language. The harsh reality of the matter is that marketers who make choices based upon popularity and which company had the flashiest add in some magazine do most descisions made about technology. For the purposes of this kitty tutorial…we’ll just start out with basic ideas.

0.1 Abstract Concepts

One problem with programming is that you do have to understand some fundamental parts about the computer. Not enough to build one, but a general idea so you can see where the rest of this information is coming from.

Just think in terms of computers…they are the most snik-pikky types that will do EXACTLY what you tell them to do, no matter if it makes any sence or not. Just picture it like an anal retentive old man who has to have everything organized in a specific way and has a desk full of things sitting at right angles.

In terms of programing, computers just have input devices (keyboard, communications ports, etc), storage devices (hard drive, USB keys, etc), Central Processing Unit (the brain), and output devices (printer, screen). For the most part, this is the only parts of the computer we’ll be concerned about.

Now..the computer is very picky about how things work. The “old man’s” desk is organized into different sections. Everything is organized into specific sizes and areas. This is just like how memory is used in a computer. All the action takes place between the CPU (that does math, transforms things, etc) and the active memory (which is a combination of “RAM” and your hard drives). The memory itself is sectioned off into different segments, where part is reserved for “Operating System” only, other parts for “Addresses” and so forth. If you try to mess with these reserved spots, the computer will not work right—our snik-pikkety old man will get upset. And the section of that memory that we are allowed to use, must be sectioned off in a specific way in order to keep the old man happy.

These are really abstract ways to put this, however should make some of the rest of this information make more sence.