Chapter 1: Defining the Computer to the Programmer
The Computer as a Jinn 🧞
Chapter 1: Defining the Computer to the Programmer
The Computer as a Jinn 🧞
A computer is an electronic machine. It doesn’t argue with you, doesn’t give advice, and doesn’t change your orders. It simply obeys commands exactly as you give them.
The best way to imagine a computer is to think of it as a jinn—a magical being that will do everything you say.
But there’s a condition:
This jinn doesn’t understand big instructions. He only understands the most basic, step-by-step orders.
For example:
If you say: “Walk forward.” → ❌ The jinn won’t understand.
If you say: “Dress the room.” → ❌ Still, he doesn’t know what to do.
Instead, you must break it down:
“Raise your left leg half a foot.”
“Move it one foot forward.”
“Put it down.”
“Now raise your right leg.”
Only then will the jinn walk!
That’s exactly how computers work. They don’t “understand” your big ideas—they just follow detailed, simple steps.
Exercise 1: Teaching the Jinn to Make Tea 🍵
Try to write step-by-step instructions for making tea. Remember, no shortcuts like “Make tea.” Be very specific.
👉 Example (incomplete):
Walk to the kitchen.
Open the cupboard.
Take out a cup.
Place the cup on the table.
Fill the kettle with water.
Switch on the kettle.
…
🔍 Notice how many small steps there are! A programmer has to think at this level of detail.
Is the Computer Intelligent?
You may have heard people say: “Computers are very intelligent.”
The truth is: computers are not intelligent at all.
They only appear smart because they follow millions of tiny instructions very quickly.
Think about it:
If the computer actually thought for itself, it wouldn’t be useful. Imagine asking your jinn:
“Make tea.”
And he replies: “No, tea has caffeine. I’ll bring you coffee instead.”
That’s not a servant—that’s a rebel!
The computer is powerful because it is obedient, not because it can think.
Exercise 2: Spot the Mistake ⚠️
Here are the “instructions” someone gave to the jinn:
Take out a cup.
Put water in it.
Add tea leaves.
Drink it.
❓ What went wrong?
👉 The jinn followed exactly what was said. But since the steps didn’t mention boiling the water, you end up drinking cold water with leaves floating inside. Yuck!
Lesson: If your instructions are incomplete, the computer will still obey them—but the result will be wrong.
Next: The Language of the Computer
Now that we know the jinn obeys instructions step by step, the next question is:
In what language should we talk to him?
That’s what we’ll explore in the next chapter—the language of the computer.
