block structure

programming

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "block programming" has two distinct meanings. In broadcasting, it refers to scheduling several programs of the same genre consecutively on radio or television.1

In computer programming, "block structure" was introduced by the ALGOL language. This concept allows a program to be divided into smaller, self-contained units called blocks. Each block can contain both data and instructions, and its structure mirrors that of the entire program. This modular approach is a powerful tool for organizing and building large, complex software by combining smaller, manageable components.2

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computer programming language
ALGOL
ALGOL introduced block structure, in which a program is composed of blocks that might contain both data and instructions and have the same structure as an entire program. Block structure became a powerful tool for building large programs out of small components.
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ALGOL introduced block structure, in which a program is composed of blocks that might contain both data and instructions and have the same structure as an entire program. Block structure became a powerful tool for building large programs out of small components.
Read More