If you are new to computer programming, read this section to learn about the terms used in this manual.

There are three important tasks involved in software development:

• Creating Input Files
• Generating the Software
• Debugging and Refining the Software

Next, you apply tools that transform your source materials into software that executes on your target computer. Such tools include compilers, linkers, assemblers, and debuggers. You use these tools to create different types of software, depending on the tools used and the target computer. For example, you could create applications (executable files), dynamic libraries (shared libraries), and static libraries.

After you create a piece of software, you can use a debugger to examine that software. The debugger helps you determine whether the software executes as you intended. If the software does not execute properly, you make changes to your source material to correct each problematic software bug. You continue to revise and debug the source material until the software works correctly.