# Pico

> programming language to introduce the essentials of programming to non-computer science students

**Wikidata**: [Q3902685](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3902685)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pico_(programming_language))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pico

## Summary
Pico is a programming language designed to teach the fundamentals of programming to students without a computer science background, developed at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium since 1997. It emphasizes simplicity and core programming concepts for non-specialists.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1997
- **Developer:** Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
- **Country:** Belgium
- **Website:** http://pico.vub.ac.be
- **Paradigms:** Reflective programming, Procedural programming
- **Instance of:** Programming language
- **Target Audience:** Non-computer science students
- **Primary Purpose:** Introduce essentials of programming
- **Wikipedia Title:** Pico (programming language)

## FAQs
### Q: What is Pico designed for?
A: Pico is specifically designed to teach the fundamental concepts and essentials of programming to students who are not majoring in computer science.

### Q: Who developed Pico?
A: Pico was developed by researchers at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium.

### Q: When was Pico created?
A: Pico was first created in 1997.

### Q: What programming paradigms does Pico use?
A: Pico incorporates reflective programming and procedural programming paradigms.

### Q: Where can I find more information about Pico?
A: The official website is http://pico.vub.ac.be. Detailed information is also available on its English, Persian (fa), Italian (it), and Portuguese (pt) Wikipedia pages.

## Why It Matters
Pico addresses a critical challenge in education: making computational thinking accessible to non-specialists. By focusing on the essential principles of programming in a simplified, reflective framework, it lowers the barrier to entry for students in fields like business, humanities, or natural sciences who require basic programming skills for data analysis, modeling, or automation but lack a traditional CS background. This targeted approach has made Pico a valuable pedagogical tool in specific university settings, demonstrating how specialized languages can effectively bridge the gap between technical concepts and diverse academic disciplines. Its longevity since 1997 indicates sustained utility in this niche educational space.

## Notable For
- **Educational Niche:** Specifically designed for teaching programming fundamentals to non-computer science students.
- **Reflective Paradigm:** Incorporates reflective programming as a core paradigm alongside procedural programming.
- **Institutional Origin:** Developed and maintained within a single university (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) since its inception.
- **Simplified Focus:** Prioritizes teaching core programming essentials over complex syntax or extensive libraries for its target audience.
- **Longevity:** Continuously developed and used for its specific educational purpose since 1997.

## Body
### Purpose
- Pico is a programming language created with the explicit goal of introducing the essentials of programming to students who are not computer science majors.
- It aims to make fundamental programming concepts understandable and accessible to individuals from diverse academic backgrounds.

### Technical Details
- **Paradigms:** Pico is classified as utilizing both reflective programming and procedural programming paradigms.
- **Language Type:** It is categorized as a programming language.
- **Documentation:** Information is available in multiple languages on Wikipedia (English, Persian, Italian, Portuguese).
- **Entity ID:** Linked to Wikidata entity Q187560.

### Development & Origin
- **Institution:** Pico was developed by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) located in Belgium.
- **Founding Year:** Its creation dates back to 1997.
- **Maintenance:** The official website http://pico.vub.ac.be is maintained by the VUB.
- **Influence:** Pico was influenced by the entity referenced in Wikidata as Q187560.

### Usage & Target Audience
- **Primary Users:** The intended user base consists of non-computer science students.
- **Educational Goal:** Its main purpose is to teach the essential elements and principles of programming to this specific audience.