Programming is dynamic.
When a program runs, things happen over the course of time. Therefore, explanations of programming should be dynamic, too, rather than just the static content of printed textbooks. ProgramLive uses animation to more clearly and effectively illustrate key points. Furthermore, many textbooks simply present programming constructs and do not explain how to think about them, e.g. how to effectively use them. ProgramLive goes into more detail than most textbooks about how to think actually think about the programming process.