Short answers, pulled from the story.
Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices and computer software. These tools include sequencers, workstations, hardware synthesizers, samplers, and sequencers to generate sounds of musical instruments.
Max Mathews created the first digital synthesis family of computer programs known as MUSIC-N. His innovations remain central to how electronic instruments generate sound today and laid the groundwork for all future digital audio workstations.
Electric rhythm machines began to make way into popular music around the 1950s. The LM-1 drum machine computer was released by guitarist Roger Linn in 1979 with eight different drum sounds recorded at high frequencies of 28 kHz.
Notable artists who used the LM-1 drum machine included Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Madonna. Other artists who used this kind of technology include J. J. Cale, Sly Stone, Phil Collins, Marvin Gaye, and Prince.
Popular DAWs include FL Studio, Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic Pro X, Magix Acid Pro, Ableton Live, Presonus Studio One, Magix Samplitude Pro X, Cockos Reaper, Propellerhead Reason, Steinberg Cubase Pro, GarageBand, and Bitwig Studio. These programs incorporate MIDI technology allowing communication between electronic instruments, computers, and other related devices.