The term ‘coding’ has become a buzzword in today’s tech-savvy world. Many aspects of the modern world rely on coding, ranging from smart kitchen appliances like coffee machines and microwave ovens to video games and automated cars. Coding has emerged as one of the most in-demand skills. Previously, coding was recognized as the primary skill only for computer geeks, but now it has become essential expertise for various job profiles.
This article will provide a detailed explanation of what exactly coding is, the difference between coding and programming , how coding works, and what it is used for. Also, we will introduce you to some key advantages of coding. Finally, we will guide you on where to begin learning to code.
What is Coding?
Coding is the process of creating a set of instructions to be fed to computers or machines to perform a specific task. It is the sole approach to communicating with computers and instructing them how to behave or act. As computers and machines do not understand human language, a code is developed using a language intelligible to computers, called a programming language.
Generally, a programming language consists of specific syntax, commands, and rules that a programmer needs to follow to write valid code. There are several programming languages that are quite popular, like C, C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript. Learning to code means learning one or more programming languages and using them to develop a set of instructions, called a code, to develop robust software applications or websites.
How Does Coding Work?
Computers and machines understand binary data because they are composed majorly of transistors or on/off switches. Therefore, a computer works with a unique combination of some transistors turned on, and some transistors turned off. Such a combination of transistors turned on and off is represented using the binary code consisting of 0s and 1s, where each digit represents one transistor.
A binary code is represented in bytes, where 1 byte consists of 8 digits, and therefore, one byte of binary code contains 8 transistors. And we know that modern computers and machines consist of millions and billions of transistors. Therefore, it is impossible to develop a computer program in a binary system that would require millions and billions of 0s and 1s. This is where programming languages come into play.
Programming languages make binary code more manageable, and they translate our commands or instructions that we wish to feed to a computer into binary code or machine-intelligible format.
Coding vs Programming
Coding and programming are the two most typical terms used in the programming world interchangeably. However, there are some differences between coding and programming. While coding implies developing a set of commands or instructions, programming is a collection of codes arranged in a specific order to form a complete program. A program is then fed to a computer instructing what to do and what to produce. Therefore, we can say that programming is a higher level of coding.
Coding vs Programming: A Head-to-Head Comparison
The below table outlines the head-to-head comparison between coding and programming:
| Coding | Programming |
| Coding involves writing a set of commands or instructions in a machine-intelligible language. | Programming is an approach to combining multiple codes written in machine language to form one single executable program. |
| It is a basic and simple process and is a small segment of a project. | It is a complex process and results in a fully functional software solution. |
| The primary use of coding is to promote communication between humans and computers. | The fundamental aim of programming is translating human thoughts into a machine-executable format and feeding them to a computer as a whole to generate the expected result. |
| As coding is an initial phase of programming, coders can possess lesser skills than programmers. | As programming is all about synchronizing human thoughts and machine outputs, it is an intricate process. Therefore, programmers are more skilled than coders. |
| A simple text editor is enough for coding. | Programming requires text editors , analysis tools, and testing frameworks. |
What is Coding Used for?
The sole purpose of coding is to enable communication between humans and computers or machines. With coding, we can develop the desired website, software application, and many other contemporary tools. Almost every industry type, including medical, finance, entertainment, education, etc., use software applications that operate on code.
Below are a few instances where coding is used:
- Every application that we use on tablets, desktops, mobile phones, laptops, and smart gadgets, like smart televisions, calculators, and smartwatches, relies on coding to work properly.
- One of the most incredible technological innovations that use coding is automated cars. Everything in automated cars, like clutches, fuel injectors, and air conditioning, operates on code.
- Coding also has its application in applying special effects in movies and videos.
You can also Read: Programming for Kids
Benefits of Coding
With coding being of supreme importance in this technology-driven world, learning to code offers a wide range of benefits that are as follows:
1. Boosts Problem-Solving Skills
There are very few experienced programmers who can write errorless code in one go. For beginners and even some professional programmers, coding is a continuous process of learning from errors and trying to fix them until achieving an error-free code.
You may encounter various types of errors while developing a code. And every time you encounter an error, you have to find an effective solution to resolve it. Your brain thinks deeply about a particular error and tries to come up with a relevant solution. Therefore, the more the number of errors you face while coding, the more you will develop your problem-solving skills.
2. High Earning Potential
Software developers and programmers are in great demand today, and there is no denying that they earn sky-high salaries. Many companies are offering attractive packages to skilled programmers. Therefore, learning to code can help you in earning a handsome salary.
3. Make Your Own Application
When you know how to code, you can build your own applications. It helps you to digitize your ideas. Whenever you get an idea of developing something that can gain a lot of popularity, you can immediately implement it using your coding skills.
Moreover, if you dream of being self-employed, coding skills can help you achieve your dream. You can develop a responsive website for your business, offer practical tutorials and lectures to beginners, or offer website development services to clients.
4. Improves Career Prospects
With coding being an essential skill for multiple job roles in various fields, learning to code can open up doors for a wide range of career opportunities.
How to Start Learning to Code?
Today, there are countless resources available to learn to code. Most coding professionals possess a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. However, for non-technical individuals seeking to learn to code, there is nothing to worry about. Below are some common ways for individuals to learn how to code:
1. Websites
Several websites offer programming tutorials that teach you how to write code from scratch. While some websites provide video tutorials, many others provide text-based lectures. We at Techgeekbuzz offer text-based lessons for various popular programming languages , like C, C++, Python, Java, HTML, PHP, CSS, and many others.
2. Learn Coding Through Apps
Learning to code has become easier these days, as there are numerous applications out there that help you learn to code online. You can download those applications on your Android and iOS mobile devices and learn to code anywhere, anytime. Some popular coding applications are SoloLearn, CodeHub, Grasshopper, Encode, etc.
3. Coding Bootcamps
Another best approach to start learning to code is to attend bootcamps. A Bootcamp is like a crash course or a short-term program, where expert educators help you develop coding skills through practice.
Conclusion
Our life is encircled by gadgets and applications that operate on code. Therefore, coding has become one of the most in-demand skills today. Having coding expertise opens up dozens of career opportunities and helps you pursue a successful career in various fields, such as web development, software development, AI development, and data analytics. We hope this article has helped you to understand coding, its working, and the benefits it offers.
If you are a newbie to the programming field, you can start learning to code with basic programming languages, like C, Python, and C++. Also, learning to code not only means learning to write syntaxes but also working on developing logical skills.
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