Coding definition
Today’s generation cannot imagine life without programmes, software, apps, and websites. One of the major reasons behind technological development and digitalization of the modern age lies in lines of codes. If you are new to the world of Programming or Coding, then the Coding lines would appear like some type of a puzzle. If you wonder what exactly is a Computer code, or are perplexed by the Computer programmes, then this is just for you.
Computer Programming or Coding involves the process where you give instructions to Computers with the help of Programming languages that the machines understand. The Computer programme is the sequence of instructions that can range between a two-line code to something that can run into millions of lines. The Computer programs are written for specifying individual tasks to the Computer. There are various software programs and related technologies that we interact with on a daily basis. The Computer program is the foundation of most of these technologies and forms the core of their functioning.
Why is Coding mainly used for?
The Coding is used for Programming applications, websites, and various other modern day tools. Today every major domain including agriculture, medicine, entertainment, and defence etc. makes use of Computer Coding. The following describes some of the main uses of Computer Programming.
Computer programs are used in website development, graphic designing, and creating apps.
The special effects in videos and movies are added through Coding.
The Coding is fundamentally used in visual effects (VFX) and game development.
The Computer programs are also used for designing communication media, chat, SMS, voice communication, and social media platforms amongst other applications.
There are various software programs such as Calculator, MS Office tools and web browsers including Internet Explorer, Google Chrome etc. which are installed in Computers. All of these applications are built with the help of coded and Programming languages.
How do codes work?
If you are someone who loves electronic gadgets or Computers then you must be familiar with the meaning of Coding. The chances are you have already heard about the terms Programming and Coding various times. Computers are electronic devices which are made using transistors. The Computer doesn’t understand human language, and thus they are made of transistors which only understand the binary instructions, which is on or off and it is represented by the 0s and 1s.
Some of the major Coding languages that are used and deployed in modern applications include Java, C, C++, Python, PHP, C#, Perl, and Ruby. These Programming languages have their own structures and protocols that make them distinct from each other. These languages have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages as well.
Computer Coding for Beginners
While today’s generation is highly tech-savvy, coding scares many of them. Coding may appear all Greek to someone who has never coded before. However, it is way easier than one would envisage. Computers are one of the most advanced inventions of humankind. Had humans not learnt how to code, computers would merely be a piece of junk! It is we, humans, who first built a device like computers and then made it communicate through a set of instructions. In this way, our brains are much more complex than artificially designed systems to understand and comprehend human languages. Computers can’t even come close to that. So, to instruct them to perform large operations which is not feasible to do manually, we need to provide computer instructions in the form of binary codes.
A question might arise here. Why can't we write in simple English instead of learning any specific language? The answer is simple! Coding follows rules or you can say a defined set of instructions which can be easily decoded into machine language. The language in which we talk may have many terms which could be foreign for a computer. For example, suppose you want to add certain numbers. You write, please add 1 and 6. Someone else might write how much is 1+6. Some can write the same thing in their native language. This difference in the way we instruct can be confusing for a system to comprehend. This is why programming languages were designed. These are a set of rules which defines how to write code.
Let's make this simpler for you to understand! To ask our devices to perform a certain function as simple as adding two numbers to as complicated as facial recognition, we need to enter some commonly defined set of commands in a language that we all know, i.e. coding languages. Now, your compilers and interpreters which are programs or software themselves will convert them to machine-readable language. Now the machine will perform the operation for us and produce results which we can understand; all this in seconds. It is fascinating to know that we have programs translating programs for a machine that can only understand binary. Isn’t it?
There is much more to coding and learning programmes that you will know as and when you start to code.
Popular Coding Languages
People started to code in the late 1950s when the first few coding languages including FORTRAN and COBOL were introduced. In the past few years, software programming has taken a notch higher with the development of numerous coding languages. Today, we have over 100 popular programming languages. Some of the highly used coding languages are:
Java: Java is a class-based, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Released in 1995, Java runs on various platforms including Windows, Mac OS, etc. Java is simple, secure, platform-independent, robust, etc. These features make the programming language most widely used in the world.
C: C Programming is a procedural programming language developed by Dennis M. Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1972 to design the UNIX Operating System. C is a structured programming language used for general-purpose programming.
C++: C++ is an advanced version of C programming language which supports both procedural and object-oriented programming paradigms. It is also called ‘C with Classes.’ C++ has been used extensively in developing new programming languages like C#, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Python, etc.
Python: Python was created by Guido van Rossum and first released in 1991. Python is an object-oriented scripting language. It is a high level and interactive language. Python is mainly used in Machine learning and AI tools.
PHP: PHP is a server scripting language used for designing dynamic and interactive web pages. It is the most widely used for web development. It was created by Danish-Canadian programmer Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994.
C#: Developed by Microsoft, C-Sharp is a programming language that runs on .NET framework. It is mostly used to develop web apps, desktop apps, mobile apps, games, etc.
Perl: Perl is a programming language developed by Larry Wall. PERL stands for Practical Extraction and Report Language. It was developed for text processing and runs on a variety of platforms such as Windows, Mac OS, UNIX versions, etc.
Ruby: Ruby is a dynamic programming language which has a natural syntax, and is easy to read and write. It was developed in Japan by Yukihiro Matsumoto to focus on simplicity and productivity.
Coding vs Programming: What is the Difference?
In simple terms, coding means to write code or a set of instructions which guides your computer or any electronic device to perform a task. A coder is someone who translates a human language into well-defined and compilable texts. Coding refers to the act of writing code whereas programming is a wider term which is generally associated with all the aspects of creating applications. However, the terms coding and programming are used interchangeably. When someone works as a programmer, they have to juggle tasks between coding, testing, debugging, etc. intending to produce a quality software product. Coding is a general term for writing machine-readable codes. Anyone can learn how to code and become a coder. However, to become a programmer, one needs proper technical skills and qualifications.
How to Learn to Code
Today, there are limitless options from where one can learn how to code. However, one must be truly interested in learning coding skills. If you want to learn how to communicate with computers by writing your own set of instructions, you must learn the basics of any programming language like C, Python, etc. Learning how to code does not mean learning only syntaxes of a language, but working on developing logical and mathematical skills. There is no shortcut to becoming a successful coder. Coding can be thought of as a creative skill which comes with practice. The more you practice, the better your coding skills will become.
There are many dedicated platforms that offer coding tutorials which include either textual, audio or video-based online classes. One can pick up programming lessons from many coding sites and online coding websites. There are many ed-tech companies offering training by expert coders who teach from the scratch. One such platform is Vedantu Super coders that has launched its coding classes for kids.
What Kinds of Coders are There?
Programming is an umbrella term which includes different types. The different types of programmers are as follows:
System Programmers: The one who installs, customizes and maintains the operating system.
Web Programmers: A programmer who designs World WideWeb applications, webpages using HTML, CSS and Javascript, etc.
Game Programmers: The one who develops codebases for video games or related software.
Application Programmers: They are responsible for designing and testing program logic and coding programs for various applications.
A code developer can be broadly classified into frontend and backend developers. Back end developers are responsible for writing code for backend functionalities such as data integration, modelling, etc. Whereas, a frontend developer designs the User Interface through which users interact with the software or program.
Skills Necessary to Learn Coding
The revolution in the field of Information Technology has made coding a new literacy. Knowledge of coding has become a basic job requirement in IT industries. Despite the demand, not many know who to code properly. Contrary to what many beginners assume, coding is really fun and easy to learn. One must come out of the notion that coding can be done by mugging up syntaxes. Before you start your first communication with computers through code, you need to possess the following basic skills:
Logic: One must have a logical mind in order to solve a problem or optimize code. Coding demands a lot of logical abilities and thinking skills. This can be achieved with practice. The more you practice and learn about data structures, the stronger your logical skills will be.
Problem - Solving Skills: This is one of the most important skills one need to possess to become a successful programmer. Programming is not just about learning how to code but how to solve a problem using technology.
Proficiency with Programming Languages: One needs to have strong programming knowledge and must be thorough with at least one programming language.
Creativity: It requires creativity to solve any problem. As Coding requires problem - solving skills, creativity naturally becomes a necessary skill for coding.
Patience: Programming is difficult and time-consuming. Sometimes you might have so many bugs that are difficult to solve. Also, it is an ever-learning process. So, you must have patience as it is a necessary skill while programming.
Steve Jobs said, “Everyone should know how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.” Learning how to code not only paved the way for a rewarding career but make your brain sharper, smarter and more intuitive.
FAQs on What is Coding and what is it used for? Coding vs Programming
1. What is the major difference between Coding and Programming?
In the basic terms, Coding relates to the process of writing code or the set of instructions that guides the Computer or an electronic device for performing a specific task. The coder is responsible for translating the human language into compilable and well defined texts. The Programming, on the other hand, has a wider definition and it is associated with all aspects related to creating applications. The terms Programming and Coding tend to be used interchangeably.
2. What are the different types of programmers in the industry?
The process of Programming involves a wide range of processes and individuals who are assigned these tasks. Some of the major types of programmers that are deployed in the software and related industries include System programmers, Web programmers, Application programmers, and Game programmers. Each of these programmers have their own unique definitions and functions that make them distinct from one another. The code developers are broadly classified as frontend and backend developers.
3. What are the skills that I need for learning Coding?
Despite some of the preconceived notions, Coding can be relatively easy if you are open to learning. If you want to learn Coding then mugging syntaxes or other concepts won’t work. Some of the skills that you need to learn Coding are logic, problem-solving capability, creativity, patience, and fascination for the Programming languages. Today many of the industries and jobs require candidates to have some form of Coding or Programming knowledge.
4. How can I learn Coding?
If you want to learn Coding then there are limitless opportunities and countless resources on the internet to help you learn the basics of Coding. One of the requirements to learning Coding or Programming is the fascination for various technologies and willingness to learn about the new concepts. Learning Coding doesn’t mean just learning about the syntax or language protocols, it also needs logical thinking and problem solving ability. You can refer to notes on Coding or Programming from a variety of sources such as Vedantu.
5. How can I refer to Vedantu notes related to the fundamentals of learning Coding?
If you want to refer to the guide provided by Vedantu on learning Coding then you can download the notes from either the app or the website. These notes are free to download and are available in the PDF format. To download the notes related to Coding learning, you must visit the specific page on the website or app and then click on the “Download PDF” button. This will download the PDF file on your device for offline use.
6. What is Coding?
Coding is the process of creating instructions for computers using programming languages. Coding language examples are C, C++, Java, etc.
7. How do Beginners Learn to Code?
Practice is the only way by which one can learn to code. Beginners must start with the basics of any programming language. C is a recommended language to start with. You can join online courses where the expert teachers will teach you from scratch. You can also participate in beginner’s level coding challenges online. One of the best platforms for learning online coding is Vedantu’s Supercoders.
8. Is Coding Difficult to Learn?
No, coding is not hard to learn if you are genuinely interested in learning how to code. Learning any new skill requires patience and time and coding is no exception. With access to the right tools and platforms and the zeal to code, one can easily learn coding.
