What is Coding? A Beginner-Friendly Introduction

Do you want to know what coding is and where you can start learning it initially?

In this article, we are going to cover the most common questions related to coding, such as: What is coding? What is coding used for? What are the popular coding languages? After reading this article completely, you will have the basic knowledge of coding and you will also know where you should learn coding.

Coding is everywhere, even you are still using coding unconsciously by reading this article on your screen with the help of the internet, it’s all about coding.

With that in mind, let’s discuss what coding is and where you can start learning. You can use the quick links below to navigate between topics:

What is Coding?

Coding is the process of instructing a computer to perform a specific task by providing a set of step-by-step commands. It involves using a programming language to communicate with machines, enabling them to perform desired actions and solve problems.

In simple words, humans communicate with each other through different languages, similarly some languages are used to communicate and command computers, these languages are called coding languages.

Let’s understand it with this example: A policeman is instructing a child that “If you are under 18, you cannot drive”. Similarly, a programmer is instructing a computer, but in computer language:

if (youAge < 18) {
	console.log("You cannot drive");
};

If you’re wondering how computers understand programming languages, even though coding is only a few words in English, the answer is yes. Computers don’t understand programming languages, computers only understand binary code, which is 0 and 1, we use compilers to make computers understand. When the programmer writes the code in any programming language, the compiler converts the language into binary code and sends it to the computer and then the computer understands it.

What is Coding Used For?

Coding is used to instruct computers and devices to perform specific tasks, enabling them to process information, execute commands, and accomplish various functions in applications, software, and websites.

The modern world is a perfect example of: what is coding used for? Because coding is everywhere, computers and mobiles cannot function without it, and not only that, but from modern cars to space exploration, without coding, you cannot imagine these things.

There are many departments related to coding, so we are going to cover the top 10 of them.

Top 10 Departments Where Coding Plays an Important Role

1. Software Development: Creating applications and system software.
2. Web Development: Designing and building websites and web applications.
3. Data Science: Analyzing and interpreting large datasets for insights.
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Developing algorithms and models for machine learning.
5. Game Development: Coding for video games, including graphics, physics, and gameplay mechanics.
6. Cybersecurity: Writing secure code to protect systems and data.
7. Finance: Creating algorithms for trading, managing financial data, and automating processes.
8. Healthcare: Developing software for medical imaging, electronic health records, and diagnostic tools.
9. Automotive: Coding for autonomous vehicles, embedded systems, and vehicle software.
10. Telecommunications: Developing software for network infrastructure and communication technologies.

Popular Coding Languages

There are more than 250 programming languages, but not all of them are popular, so I am going to introduce you to the most popular programming languages:

•   Python
•   JavaScript
•   Java
•   C++
•   C#
•   Ruby
•   Swift
•   PHP
•   SQL
•   Go (Golang)
•   HTML
•   CSS
•   R
•   TypeScript
•   Kotlin
•   Objective-C
•   Shell scripting languages (e.g., Bash)
•   Scala
•   Perl
•   Rust

Note: HTML and CSS are not programming languages but markup and styling languages, respectively. However, they are often mentioned in the context of coding and web development.

Benefits of Learning Coding

Learning to code offers many benefits that go beyond just programming skills. First, coding enhances problem-solving skills by developing a logical and analytical mindset. It teaches individuals how to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable components and develop systematic solutions.

Secondly, coding empowers individuals to be more versatile and adaptable in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. As technology continues to shape various industries, having coding skills is a valuable asset in virtually every field. From automating repetitive tasks to developing innovative solutions, coding allows individuals to make meaningful contributions to their work environment, regardless of their professional background.

Lastly, Learning to code provides a gateway to many opportunities, especially considering its widespread role at major tech giants like Google, Facebook, YouTube, and many others. These industry leaders rely heavily on coding to develop innovative technologies, improve user experiences, and create useful software and applications. Mastering coding not only opens doors to potential employment at these tech giants but also equips individuals with the skills needed to contribute to a wide array of industries.

Which Programming Language should I Learn First?

The answer is Python, without any hesitation, if you want to start learning coding, start with Python, not because it is popular but because it is easy to understand compared to other programming languages and can be a good choice for your future journey.

Here’s another big reason why you should learn Python: As you read earlier in ‘Top 10 Departments Where Coding Plays an Important Role’ about how much coding is used in these departments, you might be curious to know: Which programming languages are used in which departments? See the use of programming languages in different departments, a quick overview:

As you can clearly see all departments are using different languages to meet their needs but Python is the language used by all departments. So if you learn Python first then you will have a chance to change your field or department whenever you want. For further understanding, you can study this chart:

Where can I Learn Coding?

There are two ways you can consider to learn coding in the beginning:

1. Classroom Learning
2. Self-Learning

Classroom Learning: To follow this path you need to find a university or coaching center near you, search for ‘Coding University or Coaching Center Near Me‘ then select one of them and physically attend the classes. This method is difficult but it also has advantages because you will meet people, you can learn from their experiences, and above all you will get excellent guidance.

Self-Learning: On the other hand, self-learning is the best way to learn code but not for everyone, because there are many things that can be destructive to your main goal, but if you are a self-disciplined person, you should consider this method.

There are many ways to learn coding but first choose your field or department where you want to go, then choose the programming language to get into that field or department then you can take the following courses according to your preferred programming language:

• Python for Everybody Specialization
• HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers
• Introduction to Java
• Coding for Everyone: C and C++ Specialization
• Introduction to C# Programming and Unity
• Building Web Applications in PHP

Coursera is an online platform that offers a diverse range of high-quality courses. World-class instructors spread knowledge across the globe with flexible schedules and recognized certifications to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

How to Learn Coding Online For Free?

Learning to code online for free has never been easy and never will be, because as you have read earlier, there are many things in self-learning that can be destructive to your main goal, and when you mix self-learning with free-learning, it is more destructive because there are many things, no one can learn everything, but if you are self-disciplined with the quality of focusing on your goal, you can also learn coding online for free.

There are many resources online where you can learn coding for free, you can read official documentation, watch YouTube videos or participate in free eLearning websites, we are going to cover them all.

Recommendation: We recommend you to learn coding online for free from YouTube videos or eLearning websites as the official documentation is not beginner friendly and can become a huge challenge.

Official Documentations

• Python
• JavaScript
• Java
• C++
• C#

If you want to read the documentation of any other programming language, you can just google it: “programming language name official documentation”.

YouTube Videos

• Python By Programming With Mosh
• JavaScript By freeCodeCamp.org
• Java By Bro Code
• C++ By freeCodeCamp.org
• C# By freeCodeCamp.org

Free eLearning Websites

• Geeks for Geeks
• W3Schools
• freeCodeCamp
• Mozilla
• Stackoverflow

FAQs Related to Coding

Coding vs Programming: What’s the difference?

Coding and programming are often used interchangeably, but they can have slightly different meanings depending on the context. Coding is writing instructions (code) in a programming language to tell a computer what to do. While programming involves coding, it also involves planning, designing, testing, and maintaining a program or software.

What is Low-Level and High-Level Coding?

Low-level coding involves programming at a level close to the computer’s hardware, dealing with concepts such as memory management and CPU registers. High-level coding, on the other hand, removes hardware complexities, and provides a more user-friendly environment. High-level languages like Python or Java are often easier for humans to read and write.

What is an IDE, and do I need one for coding?

An IDE, or Integrated Development Environment, is like a one-stop shop for coding. It’s a software that brings together all the tools you need to write, test, and debug your code in one place. Although you don’t absolutely need an IDE to code, it can make the process easier by providing features like a code editor, debugger, and other helpful tools, streamlining your coding tasks and boosting productivity.

What is an algorithm, and why is it important in coding?

An algorithm is a step-by-step set of instructions designed to perform a particular task or solve a particular problem. In coding, algorithms are very important because they serve as the blueprint for writing programs. They help break down complex problems into manageable steps, allowing developers to design efficient and effective solutions.

Can I learn coding without a computer science background?

Absolutely! Many successful programmers come from diverse backgrounds. Learning to code is all about problem solving and creativity, and there are countless resources available for beginners with a variety of educational backgrounds.

We hope this article helped you learn the basics of ‘what is coding and where can you start learning it’. If you liked this article or want to discuss something, please comment below. We will be happy to answer your questions.