1999 Dodge Caravan Question About Programming Computer

I just bought a new computer for my Dodge Caravan, the computer next to the batery under the hood. I am getting mixed results when i ask if hte computer needs to be put in the garage for programming or if i can hook it up and just leave off one of hte battery Lugs and it will program itself.

So can someone clarify that for me? does it have to be hooked up to a computer to be programmed or can it be hooked up like most others and it will program itself