science

Symbolic programming

Symbolic programming is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Symbolic programming rather than just read about it. In short: In computer programming, symbolic programming is a programming paradigm in which the program can manipulate its own formulas and program components as if they were plain data. Through symbolic programming, complex processes can be developed that build other more intricate processes by combining smaller units of logic or functionality.

Key takeaways

Symbolic programming belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Symbolic programming to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Symbolic programming from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In computer programming, symbolic programming is a programming paradigm in which the program can manipulate its own formulas and program components as if they were plain data. Through symbolic programming, complex processes can be developed that build other more intricate processes by combining smaller units of logic or functionality. Thus, such programs can effectively modify themselves and appear to "learn", which makes them better suited for applications such as artificial intelligence, expert systems, natural language processing, and computer games. Languages that support symbolic programming include homoiconic languages such as Wolfram Language, Lisp, Prolog, and Julia.

See also Symbolic artificial intelligence Symbolic language (programming)

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Symbolic programming

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Symbolic programming claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Symbolic programming before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Symbolic programming ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Symbolic programming

In research: Symbolic programming appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Symbolic programming in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Symbolic programming is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Programming language topic stubs, Programming paradigms, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Symbolic programming outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Symbolic programming in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Symbolic programming means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Symbolic programming out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Symbolic programming in simple terms?

Why does Symbolic programming matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Symbolic programming?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Symbolic programming.