Programming Vs. Coding are the most valuable skills you can develop. So, if you are looking for “how to learn to code or program,” you are most considering taking a step further in your career.
Maybe you hope to create software, an application, or a game. Either way, learning the language of computers can be an excellent advantage for your professional and personal development.
With time, dedication, and access to the internet, anyone can learn to code and program. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to start writing code.
What Is Coding
Coding is the process of using programming languages to give instructions to a computer. These instructions power the websites, software, and applications people use daily.
Why Learn To Code
Before diving into your first lesson, think about why you want to code.
It will help you determine which programming language to learn first, what kinds of projects you want to complete, and ultimately what you want to do with your skills.
How To Start Coding
Find out why you want to learn to code.
Choose which coding language you want to learn first.
Take courses online.
Watch video tutorials.
Read.
Use tools that facilitate learning coding.
Watch how other people to code.
Practice your coding with various projects.
Find a mentor and a community.
Consider signing up for a coding boot camp.
Ed as you are.
Differences Between Coding and Programming
Coding and programming use interchangeably, but they don’t always mean the same thing. For example, while coding and programming involve writing instructions for a computer, programming can also include algorithms and data structures, so it refers to more advanced projects.
While you can code with just a computer and some time, some programs may require specialized software tools. Programming projects tend to be larger and more complex. They may need project management and a more substantial knowledge base.
Programming Languages
Coding requires at least one coding language, a set of syntax and rules that computers can understand. There are hundreds of coding languages, each unique in its purpose and what it can do. Some languages are more accessible to learn than others; these are the best to start with, as they are the fastest way to learn the basics of programming.
Programming languages give you a structure for the instructions you are writing. For example, programmers call the terms and grammar in a programming language “syntax.”
Low-level languages like Assembly or Machine are more straightforward for machines to read than humans, so they can be challenging to learn. That being said, a mid-level language like C++ is helpful to know whether you want to write:
- Operating systems
- Database systems
- Image or video processing software
High-level languages are usually easier for code beginners. Some focus more on structure, while others are more interactive and can perform more complex functions.
Below are some of the best languages for beginning programmers. These languages share underlying concepts, so you can start with one and switch to another if necessary.
HTML
The Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the foundation of the internet: it is used to configure the content of web pages. When a web page loads, you usually see an HTML document presented by your browser.
If you don’t know if coding is your thing, HTML is the most straightforward language to try.
It is because HTML isn’t technically a programming language: it doesn’t run scripts, and you can’t create functional programs with it. Still, HTML is everywhere online, so if you want to understand the internet, you’ll need to understand HTML first.
CSS Programming Vs. Coding
HTML handles the content that appears on a web page but does not affect the appearance of that content. Where Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, come in. The CSS language handles the styling of HTML: it sets features like colors, size, fonts, and even entire page layouts.
CSS is also not a programming language. Instead, it is a set of rules applied to HTML.
HTML and CSS are almost always used together, so learning both is a good idea. Otherwise, your web pages will look pretty plain.
If you’re not sure how to learn to code, start with HTML and CSS. HTML and CSS are mainly easy to understand because they don’t require you to consider the computational logic of programming languages.
HTML and CSS can also seem less abstract than other languages since you’ll be able to see the results of your code quickly: create a .html file and open it in your browser, Or open an existing website and use your inspect tool to view the underlying code. It makes it possible to learn two languages you use daily in one day.
But if you want your web pages to do things, you’ll need.
Javascript
JavaScript is a programming language that converts static web pages into dynamic ones. It allows page elements to move, reacts to user actions like clicks, and handles any operations beyond existing on the page.
If you’re interested in web development and know HTML and CSS, JavaScript is the next step. These three languages make up most of the web content you see. Also, the JavaScript code can be easily tested in your browser.
Python
Python is a popular programming language for beginners due to its easy-to-use syntax and versatility. It has many code libraries. Instead of writing the functions yourself, these are groups of pre-built functions that you can plug into your code. With Python, you can create many different types of software. Many introductory courses also base their projects on this language.
C/C++ Programming Vs. Coding
C is another popular choice for introductory courses. It uses more concepts than Python and often requires beginners to write more code to achieve the same things. It is more work but helps understand abstract concepts. With C, you will learn skills easily applied to other shorter languages.
C++ is a successor to C. C++ syntax is similar to C with the addition of objects, a type of variable that makes it easier to program sophisticated applications.
C# Programming Vs. Coding
C#, called C-sharp, is famous for developing video games, mobile and desktop applications, and enterprise software. It shares a common source with C++, but while C++ and C have many overlaps, C# is more like Java.
It is easy to learn, and there are many ways to use it. However, if you plan to use both C++ and C#, you may want to learn C++ first. It will make C# easier to understand and can help speed up the learning process.
Java
Java (not to be confused with JavaScript) is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language. Like Python, Java’s syntax is easy for programmers to read and understand; often, complex tasks can be handled with a single command.
Java is popularly implemented in Android mobile applications. It is another base language with principles that can be intuitively applied to learning other languages.
HyperText Preprocessor (PHP)
PHP is an open-source, server-side programming language for developing web applications. It makes adding dynamic information, such as up-to-date news, to websites easy.
You can also embed this language in HTML, making adding features to your website easy without needing external files. It is also excellent for database access, making it easy to access and store.
Ruby Programming Vs. Coding
Ruby, on Rails, is a simple and valuable language for building automation tools, desktop applications, and rapid prototyping. It is another open-source server-side programming language. Its framework offers default structures for web pages, web services, and databases.
This makes it a valuable tool for web application development.
Although this language is easy to read and write, it may not be the best option to take as your first programming language to learn. However, it is due to its flexibility, which means it accepts changes readily.
Flexibility is excellent when first learning to get a coding project up and running. But it can affect changes to your code as you maintain the project over time.
SQL
SQL is another valuable language for beginners. You can use this language to update, store, and retrieve data from a database. It is also the standard language for database management systems.
It can take some time to learn SQL if you don’t already have some programming knowledge. However, this language is popular among tech and data professionals, so it has a lot of relevance in the workplace.
Swift Programming Vs. Coding
If you’re learning to code to create projects for Apple devices, Swift is an excellent language. Apple designers created this language with beginners in mind. And if your main goal is to develop mobile apps for iOS devices, this should be your language of choice.
While programmers have built most products since 2014 with Swift, you may also want to learn Objective-C.
Developers created this language in the 1980s. It’s what his team built most of the iOS tools with. It uses some C syntax, so if you’ve already learned C or C++, you might want to start with Objective-C.
Conclusion
It will help you determine which programming language to learn first, what kinds of projects you want to complete, and ultimately what you want to do with your skills. If you’re not sure how to learn to code, start with HTML and CSS. HTML and CSS are mainly easy to understand because they don’t require you to consider the computational logic of programming languages. Python is a popular programming language for beginners due to its easy-to-use syntax and versatility. PHP is an open-source, server-side programming language for developing web applications. If you’re learning to code to create projects for Apple devices, Swift is an excellent language.
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