Introduction

Programming Languages

Compilers follow strict conventions regarding programming language use.
Strict rules prevent more disastrous errors that could arise should the compiler "guess."
There are many (hundreds of) programming languages.

Differences in programming languages are sometimes slight, but at other times substantial.

C++:

if (int_rate > 100) message_box("Interest rate error");

Pascal:

if int_rate > 100 then message_box('Interest rate error');