How is 'robot programming' distinct from traditional programming?

Robot programming is distinct from traditional programming primarily because it emphasizes defining spatial movements and interactions with physical objects. In traditional programming, the focus is often on executing logical commands and processing data, typically within a virtual environment. However, robot programming requires an understanding of how robots will move and interact with the real world, which includes accounting for physical dynamics, sensor inputs, and the environment's layout.

In robot programming, the programmer must establish the trajectories that robots will follow, how they will handle physical items, and how they will respond to changes in their surroundings—tasks that are not typically part of standard programming practices focused on computational algorithms and data manipulation. Therefore, the essence of robot programming lies in its integration with the physical world, making it distinctly different from the traditional programming paradigms that prioritize logical structures over spatial considerations.