Programming involves the study of computer languages like Visual Basic, which is a tool created by Microsoft to build user-friendly applications with graphical interfaces. Key concepts in programming include flowcharts, which are graphical representations of step-by-step instructions to solve problems, and algorithms, which are sets of instructions to solve problems. Programs use operators, variables, and loops. Operators perform logical and mathematical operations. Variables store and contain memory. Loops repeatedly perform an action until a certain condition is met.