Coding is the process of transforming computer instructions into a form a computer can understand. Programs are written in a particular language which provides structure and meaning to the programmer’s instructions. The programming code is written in and read from text files. A program, also known as source code, is a set of text instructions that tell a computer what to do.
When we talk about coding, we are usually talking about one of two things: writing code or reading code. When you write code, you use a text editor to create or edit files containing your source code. When you read code, you use a programming language to turn those text files into something that can be executed by your computer.
The most important thing to remember when learning how to code is that coding is all about communication. At its core, coding is simply telling a computer what you want it to do in a language it can understand. In order for your coded instructions to be effective, they must be clear and concise so that the machine can carry out your commands accurately.
Variables. As the foundation of any computer programming language, variables act as containers that hold information
A variable is a value that can change, depending on conditions or on information passed to the program. They are called variables because the represented value can vary. A variable is created by first declaring it, which gives the program a placeholder to store a value, and then assigning it a value using the assignment operator (=).
In most programming languages, there are different types of variables, which determines what kind of data the variable can store. The most common types are: integers (whole numbers), floats (decimals), strings (text), and Booleans (true/false values). More complex data structures can also be stored in variables, such as arrays and objects.
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When you create a variable, you should also give it a name so that you can reference it later in your code. Variable names can be almost anything you want, but they must start with a letter or underscore (_) and can not contain spaces. It is also good practice to use descriptive names so that anyone reading your code knows what the variable represents. For example, if you were storing the user’s age in a variable, you might name it “age” or “user_age”.
Data Structures. Data structures allow programmers to streamline data collection when a large amount of related information is involved
There are four main data structures in coding: lists, stacks, queues, and trees. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks that make it better suited for different tasks. Lists are the simplest structure and can be easily traversed in either direction. Stacks are similar to lists but have more limited functionality; they can only be traversed in one direction and elements can only be added or removed from the top of the stack.
Queues function like lists but elements can only be added to one end and removed from the other; this makes them ideal for tasks like managing printer jobs where items must be processed in the order they were received. Trees are perhaps the most complex data structure; they consist of nodes that point to other nodes, forming a branching structure. Trees have many applications including file systems and databases.
Control Structures
There are three main types of control structures: sequential, selection, and repetition.
Sequential structure is the simplest type of control structure. It runs one line of code after another in the order they are written. Selection structure allows a program to choose which line of code to run next based on a certain condition. Repetition structure lets a program repeat a section of code multiple times.
Control structures can be nested inside each other. This means that one control structure can contain another control structure within it. Nesting is useful for making more complex programs with many different conditions and repetitions.
“Coding is the new literacy, and the demand for programmers is only going to grow.” -Diane Frank
Syntax
In order to write code, you must first understand the syntax of the coding language you are using. Each language has its own specific syntax that must be followed in order for the code to work properly. Syntax can be thought of as the grammar of a coding language. Just as with spoken languages, if you do not follow the proper grammar rules, your code will not make sense and will not run properly.
One important thing to keep in mind when learning syntax is that it is often very different from regular English grammar. For example, in many languages variables are declared before they are used, while in English we typically use them after we have introduced them.
Another common difference is that most programming languages use what is called camel case instead of spaces to separate words (this means capitalizing each word except for articles and prepositions). Again, these are just some examples- every language has its own unique quirks when it comes to syntax!
While at first glance syntax may seem like a daunting task to learn, don’t worry- once you get started writing code it will become much easier and more natural over time. In addition, there are many resources available online and in books that can help you better understand coding languages’ various syntactic rules. With a little practice and patience, soon you’ll be writing beautiful (and functional!) code like a pro!
Tools
Coding is the process of transforming computer instructions into a form a computer can understand. Programs are written in a particular language which provides a structure for the programmer and uses specific instructions to control the sequence of operations that the computer carries out. The programming code is written in and read from a text editor, which in turn is used to produce a software program, application, script, or system.
A wide variety of coding languages exist, with new ones appearing all the time. Some languages are designed for specific purposes such as web development or systems programming, while others are more general purpose. When choosing a language to learn it is important to consider what kind of coding you want to do and what sort of software you want to create.
Once you have decided on a language there are various tools available to help with writing and testing code. A good text editor will provide features such as syntax highlighting and code completion which can make coding quicker and easier. There are also many IDEs (Integrated Development Environments) available which provide an all-in-one solution for writing code including a text editor, compiler, debugger and other tools all within one package.
When starting out it can be helpful to use an online tutorial or course in order to gain an understanding of the basic concepts before moving on to more complex projects. Alternatively there are plenty of resources available online such as books, articles and videos which can be used at your own pace if you prefer self-study over following along with someone else’s code examples.”