Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Programo mi computadora y después la apago. - I program my computer and then turn it off.

programo is the first-person-singular form of programar in the present indicative. It literally means “I program”, and in a tech context it often means “I code.”

Does programar always mean “to code” in Spanish?

No. programar can mean “to schedule” (e.g., a TV show or a meeting) or “to set up” something by schedule. Context tells you whether it’s “code” or “schedule.”

Why is mi used before computadora? Can it be omitted?

mi is a possessive adjective, so mi computadora = my computer. You can omit it if the owner is obvious and say “programo la computadora,” but mi clarifies that it’s your computer.

Why isn’t there a yo before programo?

Spanish is a pro-drop language: the -o ending in programo already indicates yo (“I”). Adding yo is redundant unless you need extra emphasis.

Why does la come before apago, and why la specifically?

Unstressed object pronouns in Spanish normally appear before a finite verb. la is used because computadora is feminine singular. Hence la apago (“I turn it off”).

Could I say La apago después or Apago la computadora después instead?

Yes. Adverbs like después are flexible in placement. All of these are correct and mean the same thing:

Después la apago.
La apago después.
Apago la computadora después.

What’s the difference between después and luego?

Both mean “later” or “afterward.” Después is slightly more formal; luego is very common in everyday speech. You could say “programo mi computadora y luego la apago.”

Could I link these two actions with a single clause instead of using y después?

Yes. For example:
Una vez que programo mi computadora, la apago.
This structure uses una vez que (“once”) to join the actions in one sentence.