Written By
GCE Editorial Team
Computer programming is the act of writing code that instructs computers to execute specific tasks. Software developers can create computer programs, apps and websites.
Speak with a University Counselor today.
Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on Sept. 19, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
In its simplest form, computer programming is a way of providing instructions to computers. These instructions tell the computer how to react and what it should do next. Computer programming takes the form of code, and a person who earns a computer programming-related degree, such as a software development degree, will be taught how to program in order to get a computer to perform tasks.1 Computer programming is key in many organizations because it is an important aspect of software development.
Everything we see on our computers, including software, webpages, mobile applications, databases or even simple documents, was made possible by a computer programmer using code, like C#, Python and Java. Computer programming is both technical and analytical. Coding in technical languages requires precision, but it is also a creative process that requires the computer programmer to consider the needs and preferences of the end user.
Code is the keystroke input given to computers that instructs them to complete certain actions and how to execute those actions. Programming languages are the medium by which humans instruct computers; they establish the rules and parameters that are used to create computer programs, websites and apps.2
Before you earn your degree, code may look like meaningless lines of numbers, letters and symbols. However, as you work through the software development curriculum, you will be taught how to read code and how to develop your own.
Every line of code is written in one of numerous programming languages. A software developer or computer programmer may customarily work with several computer programming languages. The top programming languages include:3
What programming language should you dive into? When it is time to decide which programming language to explore, you will usually follow the sequence provided in your degree program. However, working on acquiring additional programming languages may make you more marketable in the field. 4
Identifying which programming language to learn is not necessarily straightforward. It will vary based on what task you want to achieve or what problem you want to resolve through code.
What is computer programming’s easiest language? Some languages are indeed easier to learn than others, and some are used more widely. Of course, your experience can vary. Some people might find Python to be easier than other languages, while someone else might feel that Java is easiest.
Knowing one or two programming languages completely can help you pick up other languages and may prove valuable as you develop your programming skills and problem-solving skills.4
There are many factors to consider when deciding which programming language to use for any given project. Some questions that programmers may consider include the following:
Earning a degree in software development can be an investment in your future career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth rate for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers is 15% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, indicating an anticipated gain of 287,900 jobs.9
If you enjoy technical and logical work that also has a creative spin to it, then working in software development may be a great career choice for you. Join us at Grand Canyon University today and earn your Bachelor of Science in Software Development. To learn more about this degree program, fill out the form on this page.
Discover Your Future In Tech
Dive into programming languages with a software development degree at GCU. Apply online today.
A back-end developer is a computer programmer who ensures that the website or app behaves the way it should. The functions of back-end code are rarely visible to users. Instead, back-end development may include tasks such as creating databases to store information (e.g., customer details) or building out how the app will interact with different servers.
Common back-end development languages include Java, SQL, C# and Python.2 Back-end developers use such code to keep websites and applications running smoothly. These languages also help back-end developers ensure that users can have safe and secure interactions online.
Both front-end and back-end web development are critical components of computer programming, and both are included in standard computer programming curricula. What you choose to focus on is up to you and your interests.
Front-end computer programming refers to the development of website layouts and how the design of the website functions. In other words, a front-end developer works with code to create what users can see and interact with. They focus on how websites and applications look and how the user experiences them.
Front-end software developers typically use programming languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript.2 These languages allow the computer programmer to easily determine how images are positioned and sized. They also take into consideration text aesthetics.
A front-end developer also ensures that content is usable across many different devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones.
A computer programmer is responsible for writing, adjusting and testing code. They create software programs, apps and websites, and they run tests to ensure that software and applications are working as intended. If problems arise, computer programmers work to debug the code to improve functionality.5
It’s important to note that, software development is the overarching discipline that includes computer programming and there is considerable overlap in their responsibilities and programming skills.5 In addition, some companies may use these computer programming and software development job titles interchangeably.
Artificial intelligence technologies are being trained in programming languages, including Python, Java and C++.6 This does not necessarily mean that AI will replace programming jobs.
AI tools are exactly that — tools — and they are incapable of human thought, decision-making and problem-solving. While OpenAI’s GPT-3 language model might create HTML for websites and Claude (another AI tool) might generate and critique code, these AI-powered tools are simply incapable of doing all that humans can do (e.g., analytical thinking and logic).8
It’s more likely that AI will affect the software development field by augmenting the abilities of developers so that they can become more productive. AI can automate certain low-level tasks and assist in the identification of bugs, but it’s likely that these AI tools will be used to support the work of humans, not replace them entirely.7
Computer programming and software development are hugely influential in modern life, responsible for everything from facilitating e-commerce to enjoying digital entertainment.1 Take a look around you and consider how many of the things you see have been affected by programming. Smartphones, web-connected ovens, TV streaming services, medical equipment and on and on — there is no shortage of modern devices that require the work of tech professionals.
If you are thinking about earning your software development degree, you will examine the programming languages, databases, deploying on cloud, security and commands that enable you to create applications, software or other programs.
You will likely need to create programs that work on various mobile operating systems, such as iOS or Android. Those programs have different functions and classes, which means they rely on different programming languages.
Every digital application — on the web, on your laptop, on your smartphone and everywhere else — was created by a software developer. Some of the languages used to build these applications share many similarities, while others are as different as English and Japanese.
Additionally, they may be intended for different purposes; some languages create user-friendly visual environments that are easy to navigate, while others enable critical processes that run invisibly in the background. Working on acquiring a variety of computer programming languages can help make you a more versatile software developer.4
