Computers are everywhere, from obvious ones like those on our desks and in our phones to less obvious ones like those in our cars and washing machines. We use computers daily, but often in the way we use a microwave; we know how to use it, but we have no solid concept of what goes on under the hood.

We may be aware that computers are general-purpose machines, that they can be instructed to act in different ways. The same general computer architecture, for example, controls your television, microwave, and car. What’s different between these examples, at a superficial level, is the program, the set of instructions telling the computer how to interact with its environment.

Therefore, computer programming, the act of instructing a computer to perform a task, is the key that makes computers useful. Change the instructions while keeping the machine the same, and you go from a web browser to a word processor to a video game.

This book is for everyone who wants to learn more about what goes on under the computer’s hood and how to harness that power for your own purposes. If you are curious about how computers are controlled, this book is for you. All you need to bring to the table is your curiosity.

This book introduces the core concepts behind computer programming. By the end of the book, you’ll know the following:

• What are the major components of a computer system.
• What it means to program a computer using a programming language.
• How the five fundamental control structures work.
• How to write computer programs in Python, a popular programming language.

About This Series

The Explainer’s Guides introduce readers to the fundamentals of each topic. No prior knowledge is assumed. The books are written by knowledgeable people and are intended primarily for adults seeking an introduction to the topic. The books are self-contained, and each book concludes by pointing the reader to additional material.