The first computer programing course I took in the mid 1960’s started with the instructor having us write a list of instructions, in plain English, for tying our shoes. He then sat in front of the class and as each student read their instruction list, he exercised that command.
It was hilarious and a great exercise for understanding how computers work!!! It also illustrated how “dumb or literal” computers are, how difficult it is to write clear instructions, how a programming language has to break down complexity and lastly, how brilliant people are who develop programming languages.
Don’t know if you like reading “computer books” but if you do, a must read is ‘Soul of a New Machine’ by Tracy Kidder about the development of the Data General Eclipse computer. The company pitted two development teams against one another, the “old guard” developers vs the “new kids”.
It won a Pulitzer Prize and the Data General Eclipse was one of the best computers I ever used.
The book is a great read.