How does one program a programmable chip?

If it is programmable, the first thing you have to do is ensure that the computer you will use to program the chip has the right interface required to connect the chip and transmit to it. Traditionally, chips used to have serial connectors attached to the breadboard, but more recently, USB connectors are used on commercial chips such as the arduino devices. Once the chip is hooked up to the computer and is ready to receive the input, the programmer has to make sure of two things. First, it would be convenient for him to be familiar with a standardized programming language which he could use to write the program of the chip. Then, given he has a preference for a particular language, he needs to ensure that he has the right interpreter software that can communicate directly to the chip by translating the human friendly code into machine code, which basically is a sequence of 0s and 1s. Having the right interpreter is very important as it has to match the language that is being used to write the program. Once these requirements are met, write away!