Hacker News Reader

> There is no way to automate a process using a computer without using programming.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automator_(software)

That is programming.

I think your definition of programming is tending toward being pointlessly broad.

My definition of programming is just a definition that is capable of describing every programming language I've seen. If programming is not giving commands to a computer then what is it?

Is typing 'dir' or 'ls' at a command prompt programming? Am I programming if I double-click on a folder or enter a web page URL?

I'd argue yes.

Microsoft Word is a domain specific language for formatting documents. Just because you can't create an OS with it doesn't mean you aren't telling a computer what to do using gestures and keystrokes that you had to learn first.

Every day user tasks are just very high level programming, with limited power compared to general purpose languages.

And arguing semantics is just as pointless.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com