Programming

The creation of computer code for the purpose of accomplishing some task whether it be for developing software, including database query processing and building of websites or tools.

Sub-headings:

Ajax

Programming concept documented in 2005 generally used for improving website performance and usability. Stands for asynchronous JavaScript and XML (extensible markup language).

ASP.NET

Active Server Pages - a server-side script engine (allows a web page to run a program on a web server) created by Microsoft used for creating dynamic and interactive web sites, web applications, and web services.

BASIC

One of the oldest and simplest programming languages.

C

A powerful structured programming language.

C#

Created by Microsoft this object oriented language is a combination of C, C++, and Java concepts. Tends to work well with ASP.NET.

C++

An object-oriented version of C, was originally called "C with Classes" by its creator Bjarne Stroustrup.

CSS

Cascading Style Sheets - a mechanism for controlling aspects of the layout and look of a webpage. Written like short program modules, the code can be either embedded in the same page as the HTML or created separately and imported to the pages.

COBOL

Known as COmmon Business-Oriented Language and created in the 1950's by Grace Hopper and used mainly for government and military software.

DOM

The Document Object Model, created by the W3C, allows a host of programming languages to access and update the content, structure and style of HTML and XML documents. Used heavily in JavaScript.

EXT

A cross-browser JavaScript library that enables the creation of interactive webpages.

Fortran

Standing for FORmulate TRANslate, language was developed in the 1950's and used especially for scientific and mathematical applications.

HTML/XHTML

HyperText Markup Language - created in conjunction with the concept of the Internet by Tim Berners-Lee and is the de facto programming language for creating websites. XHTML (eXtensible HTML) is an evolved version of HTML.

Java

Developed in 1995, this object-oriented programming language based on C and C++ was originally owned by Sun Microsystems and is now open-source.

JavaScript & DHTML

Not related to Java at all but a very useful programming language to add interactivity to websites. DHTML is the combination of HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and sometimes DOM.

jQuery

A popular JavaScript library that facilitates providing dynamic functionality on websites.

JSON

JavaScript Object Notation - an ideal, human-readable, text-based data-interchange language similar to C.

LISP

LISt Processing language - one of the original list processing languages.

Mason

A Perl-based web application framework useful in sharing and reusing components of webpages and providing the ability to use Perl within those components.

ML

Standing for metalanguage and developed in the 1970s, its strengths are mostly applied in language design and manipulation.

MySQL

Open source database server technology that is useful for adding database functions to a website.

Oracle

One of the most widely used commercial database management systems on the market.

Perl

Practical Extraction Reporting Language - created by Larry Wall - an extremely useful language for processing text and for creating Common Gateway Interfaces (CGIs) for webpages, thus enabling rapid web development.

PHP

A server-side scripting language, whose acronym stands for Personal Home Pages, purposely created and suited for adding interactive and dynamic functionality to webpages.

Ruby (on Rails)

Ruby is a multi-purpose object-oriented programming language popular for its relative ease of use. Ruby on Rails, often shortened to Rails or RoR, is an open source web application framework for the Ruby programming language.

SQL

Also known as Structured Query Language, this set-based language is the standard across all relational database management systems. Each relational database management system (RDBMS) vendor has their own version of the language that they use in their products.

XML

Extensible Markup Language -- a markup language for documents containing structured information.

Resources in this category:

APL Language FAQ
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/apl-faq/index.html

Provides answers to frequently asked questions about the APL (A Programming Language), an array programming language. Mainly focuses on where to find and use it on various platforms, and recommended tools and resources.

Coding Horror
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/

Coding horror looks at the world of programming and digital culture from a users perspective. Who are the people behind the coding and how do humans interact with software.

Comp.Lang.ML FAQ [Monthly Posting]
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/meta-lang-faq/

Answers frequently asked questions about the ML (Meta-Language) family of "advanced programming languages with [usually] functional control structures, strict semantics, a strict polymorphic type system, and parametrized modules. It includes Standard ML, Lazy ML, CAML, CAML Light, and various research languages."

DevX.com
http://www.devx.com/DevX/Door/6947

DevX.com helps software, web developers and IT professionals get answers to tough development questions. Other features are a buyer's guide, an event calendar that covers significant events in the computer industry, a career link, and a searchable database.

FreeBookCentre
http://www.freebookcentre.net/

Freebookcentre.net contains links to thousands of free online technical books. These include core computer science, networking, programming languages, Systems Programming books, Linux books and many more.

Google Code Search
http://google.com/codesearch

Facilitates searching for sample code and function definitions that are publicly available on the Internet.

Mathematical Programming Glossary
http://glossary.computing.society.informs.org/

A glossary of terms used in mathematical programming and related subjects such as mathematics, economics and computer science. Includes supplements to elaborate on important concepts and links to additional mathematical dictionaries and encyclopedias.

Programmers Heaven
http://www.programmersheaven.com/

Covers a wealth of programming topics, including a number of individual languages, platforms, and applications. Browse or search for articles, documentation, tutorials, source code, and other tools.

A Short Introduction to the ABC Language
http://homepages.cwi.nl/~steven/abc/

"ABC is an interactive programming language and environment for personal computing, originally intended as a good replacement for BASIC. It was designed by first doing a task analysis of the programming task." Includes an overview of ABC and a few examples, and a bibliography.

SourceForge
http://sourceforge.net/

Free open source software. Users can download software, search database for ongoing open source projects, and rate programs. Web site's active community discusses projects.

The VRML Repository
http://www.cs.nchu.edu.tw/~tjsheen/martin/web3d/vrml.htm

"The Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) is a standard language for describing interactive 3-D objects and worlds delivered across the Internet." This extensive, searchable resource contains VRML documentation, tutorials, software development materials, and more.

Webmastering.info: The Webmastering Handbook
http://www.webmastering.info/

Great information source for webmasters of all skill levels. The place to start if you are curious about the multiple facets of creating and maintaining websites, covering topics from programming to website promotion.