You’ve read somewhere that “coding” is one of the highest paying jobs these days. Suddenly, everyone seems eager to learn how to do it. But what exactly is it?
The term refers to writing a computer program. The series of instructions programmers create is known as the “source code” of the program. They soon shortened the term to “code.” So when they are working on the source code of a software, an app, or a website, they refer to it as “coding.”
Other interesting terms…
Read More about “Coding”
How Does Coding Work?
In the simplest terms, a code tells your computer what to do. Computers don’t actually understand words like humans do. They only understand the concepts of “on” and “off.” And so they are guided by on and off switches or so-called “transistors.” Binary code represents on and off transistors as the digits “1” and “0.” An infinite number of combinations of these digits make computers work.
But deciphering binary code without computers’ help is not easy to do for humans. That’s why computer programming languages were created. Each language serves a different purpose but they all allow programmers to translate important commands into binary code.
While there are thousands of coding languages to date, some are more recognizable than others.
What Is Coding Used For?
By definition, coding is used for communicating with computers. It is how computers and machines can receive instructions on what actions to perform and commands to carry out. It also allows coders to make applications, websites, and all programs to work.
What Is the Code Everyone Interacts with Most?
The answer is HyperText Markup Language (HTML). HTML is the standard programming language used to display documents in a web browser. All websites that you see online were created using this programming language aided by Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and scripting languages such as JavaScript (JS).
5 Most Popular Coding Languages
We did say that programmers are some of the highest-paid employees these days and so we compiled a list of the top languages wanna-bes may want to try their hands at.
JavaScript
JS often tops every list of most popular programming languages, thanks to its continuous integration into open source projects. Developers use this language in both the backend and frontend of their projects. Not to mention that more than 94.9% of all websites today use JS.
On average, JS programmers earn around US$78,456 a year in the U.S.
Python
Python figures in many different types of projects that include but are not limited to developing application programming interfaces (APIs), crawlers, scrapers, backend systems, and so on. You can even develop complex desktop applications using this language.
Python is also heavily incorporated in machine learning (ML) and data analytics, thanks to a vast number of great plugins and third-party libraries like SciPY and Panda.
On average, U.S.-based Python developers earn around US$120,365 a year.
Java
Despite its age, Java remains relevant to the community. It makes sure any software runs on virtually every system. Industries also usually always pay extra attention to Java developers.
On average, Java programmers earn around US$104,995 a year in the U.S.
C++
Every complex system in the world starting from your operating system (OS) to large government mainframes use C++ in one form or another. Even Google uses this language for its most resource-intensive operations.
Embedded systems like Internet of Things (IoT) devices also make use of C++. Experts believe it is also helpful when building complex open source systems that aim to solve modern-day problems.
On average, U.S.-based C++ developers earn around US$78,017 a year.
Swift
Despite being a new kid on the block, Swift has gained a strong following in recent years due to the convenience it offers to open source developers. It’s behind most modern iOS applications.
On average, Swift programmers can earn around US$82,397 a year in the U.S.
What Are Prerequisites to Gaining Coding Skills?
If you are keen on landing a good-paying job in the tech industry, you need to develop these characteristics to learn coding:
Language Acquisition
You can’t learn to code if you don’t acquire programming language knowledge. You should know what Java, Ruby on Rails (ROR), Python, C#, and HTML are for starters. You will need to work with these languages to develop applications, websites, and software. As such, becoming well-versed in multiple coding languages can ensure that you can work with different programs and platforms.
Critical Thinking Skills
Coding requires thinking of solutions for any issue that may arise while developing a project. The ability to dive deeper and think ahead can help coders address challenges before these become too complicated to resolve. That involves making the most of available resources, such as choosing the best language to use for a particular problem.
Keen Attention to Detail
Even the smallest mistake in a code can significantly affect an entire computer program. That’s why coders should know everything about their programs, notice patterns, and detect even the slightest errors to make sure the outputs work as intended.
Coding vs. Programming: What’s the Difference?
While the terms “coding” and “programming” are used interchangeably, they have stark differences. Coding involves writing code for machines and devices. Programming, on the other hand, refers to the process of determining problems and how these should be addressed. Often, programmers’ roles are much broader than those of coders since they need to look at the whole picture rather than just the code that makes a program work.
—
If you’re still wondering why they say programmers make big bucks, this post probably opened your eyes somewhat. As technological innovations continue to increase, so would the world’s need for developers who can rise up to the challenge of coding.
