Coding is the process of writing instructions that tell a computer what to do. These instructions power websites, apps, and other technologies that we use every day.
There are many ways in which coding is used, and it’s important to understand its importance before diving into learning the craft. Whether you’re looking to get ahead in a tech career or just want to build your dream game, you can learn the skills you need with code.
The primary type of code computers understand is binary — 0s and 1s, with 0s meaning off and 1s meaning on. These codes are made by combining thousands of transistors, or solid state off and on switches, and they are the basis for computers’ ability to communicate with each other.
Besides encoding and decoding data, a code can also be used to represent data in a way that’s more resistant to errors in storage or transmission. This so-called error-correcting code works by including carefully crafted redundancy with the data being stored or transmitted. Examples of such codes include Hamming codes, Reed-Solomon, Reed-Muller, Walsh-Hadamard, Bose-Chaudhuri-Hochquenghem, Turbo, Golay, Goppa, low-density parity-check codes and space-time codes.
In addition, a code can be used to create abbreviations and acronyms. For example, FL means Florida in the state of Florida or DOA indicates a death in the hospital.
There are a lot of different types of codes, but there are 3 main uses for code: database administration, programming, and error-correcting.
Database administration
Coding is a big part of database administration, which involves creating and managing databases for companies like banks, hospitals, and websites to keep track of their employees and customers’ information. It can be done with a wide variety of programming languages, but SQL (Structured Query Language) is one of the most common.
Programming
Another popular use for coding is to program smart TVs and other advanced machines, which need to display content in a particular manner. This can be done through a program called an interpreter, which translates the coding language into assembly language, a super low-level machine language that the computer can understand and execute directly as binary code.
It can also be used to program the routers you use for your internet connection. This is because the routers have a lot of data stored on them that needs to be managed properly, and code can help these computers do this efficiently.
The 3 biggest benefits of coding are the skills it teaches you, the opportunities it can offer, and the potential it can provide for your career. It teaches problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and persistence, all of which are important in the job market.
The demand for people with coding skills is also high, and jobs for coders have been projected to grow by 22% by 2030. This is why it’s so important to start learning the craft as soon as possible.