What was the first example of computer programming?

The first example of computer programming is best represented by an algorithm. An algorithm is a set of instructions or a step-by-step process for solving a particular problem or performing a specific task. The concept of algorithms dates back centuries, but it is fundamental to programming and computation because it defines how a task should be executed.

In the context of computer programming, algorithms can be thought of as the foundational blueprint for writing code. For instance, Ada Lovelace, often regarded as the first computer programmer, wrote algorithms intended to be executed by Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. This historical significance helps demonstrate the importance of algorithms in the realm of computing and programming.

The other options, such as software applications, punch cards, and mathematical formulas, represent tools or methods used within the realm of computer programming but do not encapsulate the foundational concept of programming itself as effectively as algorithms do. While punch cards were important in early computing for inputting data and instructions, they are not the essence of programming. Software applications are products of programming but depend on algorithms to function. Mathematical formulas can be used within programming but are not inherently a form of programming.