3.1.1+Types+of+Networks

=__**Syntax and Semantics**__=
 * Syntax: the rules determining how the language, i.e. the program, is constructed.
 * Example English language: A sentence must start with a capital letter.
 * Example Java (programming language): a command must be ended with a semicolon.
 * In languages used to communicate by humans (ex. English), the meaning is often still understood if the syntax is wrong. However, in programs the syntax **must** be correct, otherwise the program won't work correctly or at all.
 * Note, however, that a statement can be syntactically correct but still does not do what was intended by the programmer.
 * ex. //a=b;// is correct syntactically, however //b=a;// is too. Both statements contain the same variables and functions but the results are different.
 * ex2. //System.out.println("Hello World");// and //System.out.println("bye");// are both syntactically correct but have different meanings. This leads over into semantics explained below.
 * Semantics: the meaning of a collection of statements, so what you actually want the program to do.
 * Depending on the context, arguments can be created, that are syntactically correct but are meaningless.
 * Example English language: "I watched into the street beside the moon because he felt so metallic". This phrase makes no sense but the syntax is correct.
 * Example if you want to create a program that adds two numbers in Java: //c=a*b;.// The syntax of this statement is correct, however the semantics is not, since we want to add the numbers and not multiply them.

Last modified by: Jocbe Last modified: 16th February 2011

Sources:
 * Jones, Richard. Computer Science Java Enabled. Victoria: IBID Press, 2004.
 * Common sense