Words that have special meaning in a programming language are called _______________.

Understanding the concept of keywords in programming is akin to recognizing traffic signs on the road. Just like those road signs, keywords guide the structure and flow of a program with specific instructions. In various programming languages, these are the cornerstone elements that help the computer understand what actions to perform. Like the solution stated, they are pre-defined words with unique functionalities hardcoded into the language.

For instance, consider the keyword 'if'. In most programming languages, 'if' is used to make decisions. It tells the computer to execute the subsequent block of code only if a particular condition is true. Any attempt to use such a keyword for naming your variables or functions would be like trying to change the meaning of a stop sign; it leads to confusion, and in the case of programs, errors.

An interesting point for beginners is that keywords are case-sensitive. This means that 'Return' and 'return' may not be recognized as the same keyword by a programming language. Hence consistency in case usage is crucial.

Reserved words are essentially another term for keywords. This set of words is 'reserved' by the language because they serve a specific purpose and should not be repurposed for variable names, functions, or any kind of identifier. Think of them as a 'no-trespassing' zone in the landscape of programming syntax. Just like keywords, these words play pivotal roles in controlling the flow and logic of a program.

Each programming language has its own list of reserved words, and they cannot be overwritten by programmers. It's important to note that not all reserved words may be actively used as part of the language syntax. Some are reserved for future use or to prevent conflicts with features that might be introduced later on. This future-proofing promotes forward-compatibility, ensuring that old code still runs when new language updates roll out.

At the heart of writing any program is a suite of fundamental principles known as coding fundamentals. This foundation involves understanding the basics of how to use various elements, including keywords and reserved words, to instruct a computer. It is not just about memorizing a list of special words; it is also about acquiring the skill to use these words effectively to create algorithms that solve problems.

Learning to code involves mastering variables, data structures, control structures (like loops and conditional statements), and syntax, which is the set of rules for writing code. These components, used in conjunction with reserved words, form the sentences and paragraphs of the programming world. Just as a well-written novel captivates its readers, well-crafted code efficiently executes tasks, is easy to understand and maintain by other programmers, and is resilient to errors. As a coder, your journey begins with these essentials, and as you progress, you map out increasingly complex solutions using these fundamental tools.