Question

_______________ characters or symbols mark the beginning or ending of programming statements, or separate items in a list.

Short answer

Answer: Common symbols used in programming languages include semicolons, curly brackets, and commas. Semicolons often signify the end of a statement or command, curly brackets denote a block of code such as functions, loops, or conditional statements, and commas are used to separate items in a list or elements in an array. These symbols are essential for proper code syntax and functioning.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying symbols in programming statements

Characters or symbols used in programming are essential for the proper syntax and functioning of code. These symbols vary depending on the programming language used. Some common examples include semicolons for ending a statement, curly brackets for denoting a code block, and commas for separating items in a list.

Semicolons

Semicolons are one of the most common symbols used in programming languages like JavaScript, C, and C++. They signify the end of a statement or command. For example, in JavaScript: ```javascript let x = 5; let y = 10; ``` In this example, semicolons are used to mark the end of each statement.

Curly brackets

Curly brackets, also known as braces, are widely used in programming languages like JavaScript, Python, C, and C++ to denote a block of code. These blocks can include functions, loops, and conditional statements. For example, in JavaScript: ```javascript function exampleFunction() { let x = 5; let y = 10; console.log(x + y); } ``` In this example, curly brackets surround the entire block of code within the function.

Commas

Commas are used in programming languages like JavaScript, Python, and C++ to separate items in a list, or elements in an array. For example, in a JavaScript array: ```javascript let myArray = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; ``` In this example, commas are used to separate the individual numerical values within the array.

Conclusion

Symbols and characters such as semicolons, curly brackets, and commas are essential in programming languages for denoting the beginning or end of statements, separating items in a list, or delimiting blocks of code. It's crucial to use these symbols correctly for the code to function as intended.