What is Coding — For Non-Technical people
I was sitting on the chair and searching for the best song. I opened YouTube and played a random song. Do u guys like when an ad comes first before the content. I know…. who likes it. I hate it especially when there is no option to skip it. I tried to see it for 10 secs but couldn’t wait long for 23 secs more. I closed that window and played songs on my mobile. Though I closed the ad I was thinking about it. It was a coding course ad for the kids… Kids?????
I thought if kids are learning coding why non-technical people can’t at least know about it. I did not know the exact meaning of “Coding”. I stopped the music and started the research on it. I mostly prefer short videos to understand any core concept. I have watched 20 to 30 videos, and come to know what exactly coding means.
Being a Non IT Person, when I listen to the word “Code” or “Coding”, I think about the Information Technology. Python, Ruby, PHP, Swift etc. were the jargon for me. If any non-technical person is reading this who does not know anything about IT, I’m sure he will feel the same, so do I. After doing research for a half hour, I finalize 2 simple definitions of coding.
1. “Coding is giving instruction in an order to achieve output”.
I was still not clear with the concept so I searched further, Which I felt was the simplest one.
2. “Coding is communicating with computers by using computer language to get the output”.
Example:1 (I tried to give simple example of it)
2+2 = 4
In the above example 2+2 is the input where 4 is the output. To get the output we need to know the numbers and also should have knowledge what key should be pressed to get the output. Imagine if you don’t know anything about numbers and those keys on the computer, you won’t get the output.
Example:2
When you play piano for the first time, you won’t be able to play it directly. Once you learn the keys, you will start playing it. I learnt 8 keys of piano first to simplify the process. To play any song I learnt the language of piano.
Likewise, to know coding (to display output in the computer) we need to learn keywords, statements, programming. I have read, initially there was binary language which was used for getting output in the computer. The two-symbol system used is often “0” and “1” from the binary number system. Eventually this is replaced by other languages i.e. Python, Ruby, PHP, Swift etc. I hope these are not jargon anymore
I would love to share some coding quotes which I found interesting.
1. Coding is today’s language of Creativity. All our children deserve a chance to become creators instead of computer science — Maria klawe.
2. Talk is cheap, show me the code — Linus Torvald.
3. Everyone should learn how to code; it teaches how to think — Steve jobs
If any non-technical person is thinking to do a career in this field, you should know the below elements before you start. This may help you to have a conclusion.
· Find out things you need to know before learning code.
(Know the path, learn to solve problems without taking help, Research on API, Know the level of difficulties. Try to enhance these skills)
· What coding language you should learn first.
(Always choose easy language at the beginning stage. Avoid practicing direct difficult language, if you are a beginner. I have asked this question to IT people who end up saying C language or python language can be good options to start from scratch. These are their opinions, yours can be different too.
To know exactly the easy or difficult language, you should go through the process thoroughly.)
· Which courses are available for the learning
(Find out from where you will get the training appropriately. Search for the Online/ Offline courses. Complete the training.)
· Where I should apply — Career opportunities
(What position will you get, find out companies who are looking for candidates with these skills. Study the job description and responsibilities.)
People are learning coding languages more than any other language. I feel if you can write code, you can do anything. Share your knowledge about it, I will surely go through it.