How Machine Learning Differs from Traditional Programming
As artificial intelligence becomes more common in everyday products and services, one term appears repeatedly: machine learning . While machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence, it represents a fundamental shift in how software is built compared to traditional programming . Understanding the difference between these two approaches is essential for developers, business leaders, students, and anyone interested in modern technology. This article explains how machine learning differs from traditional programming, why this shift matters, and when each approach is most appropriate. Traditional Programming: Rules Written by Humans Traditional programming is the foundation of computing and has been used for decades. In this approach, a human programmer explicitly defines rules and logic that tell the computer exactly what to do. How Traditional Programming Works Traditional programming follows a simple pattern: Input + Rules → Output A programmer: Analyzes a problem Writes...