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What is Coding?

Coding is basically the computer language used to develop apps, websites, and software. Without it, we’d have none of the most popular technology we’ve come to rely on such as Facebook, our smartphones, the browser we choose to view our favorite blogs, or even the blogs themselves. It all runs on code.

How Coding Works

To put it very simply, the code is what tells your computer what to do. To go a bit deeper, computers don’t understand words. They only understand the concepts of on and off. The capabilities of a computer are guided by on and off switches, or transistors. Binary code represents these on and off transistors as the digits 1 and 0. An infinite number of combinations of these codes make your computer work. In order to make binary code manageable, computer programming languages were formed. These languages each serve different purposes, but they all allow programmers to translate important commands into binary code.

Each computer application needs a properly written code to know what to do. Most software has thousands to billions of lines of coded text and numbers. The code gives computers a step-by-step guide on how to function. Computers speed through reading the code to execute every online and offline task. In today’s digital world, everything from mobile phones to smart TVs and cars run using coded software. For example, the code might tell the computer to input an image and make it spin. Creating flawless code is essential to avoid 404 error pop-ups and software crashes. Debugging code is always the final step to reveal and fix coding issues.

Is Learning to Code Difficult?

Coding isn’t that hard for tech-savvy people who patiently put in the time and effort to learn. Coding gets an unnecessarily bad reputation from people who weren’t persistent enough to practice. The easiest coding languages only involve a few hundred terms and rules to remember. That’s a tiny sliver in comparison to learning a spoken foreign language. Once the easier languages are mastered, it’s relatively simple to learn other ways to code. Many programming languages use similar methods to code and debug computer applications.

Beginners starting to code must possess certain skills to be successful. Having strong attention to detail to pour over long lines of coded text is imperative. New coders need abstract thinking skills to visualize what written code will become. Novices must have problem-solving skills to persist against challenges without letting frustration win. Intuitive logical reasoning skills help coders correctly conclude why a code isn’t working right. Good writing skills are critical to creating code that appropriately conveys the intended message. Technology skills are also an obvious requirement for coders to fearlessly work with computer programs.

Popular Coding Languages to Learn

Since the 1970s, computer experts have created more than 700 different programming languages. Each language has a unique way of helping computers process huge amounts of information. Every coding language has different features and terms with some overlap. New coders shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the plethora of programming types though. There are only about a dozen programming languages that are commonly used. These include Ruby, Swift, JavaScript, Cobol, Objective-C, Visual Basic, and Perl. Let’s look at some of the major coding languages about which beginners should know.

Ways to Learn How to Code

People looking to become proficient in coding for a long-term career may want a college degree. Most coding-related tech careers require at least a baccalaureate. Bachelor’s degrees require 120 education credits beyond a high school diploma or GED certificate. Find an accredited, four-year college with a slew of coding courses. Computer science majors typically get the best in-depth understanding of various programming languages. Other viable majors include information technology, computer information systems, information science, data science, web development, software engineering, and computer engineering. For careers that don’t demand a bachelor’s, consider attending a community college or technical school. Associate’s degrees in computer science and programming take only two years to complete 60 course credits.

However, paying for 24-48 months of a college education isn’t the only way to learn to code. Online specialized courses by Diana’s can help you stay focused and learn the language you want to learn to create your project. Games like Minecraft, Robocode, and Lightbot teach coding skills. Free code editors, including Notepad++, Sublime Text, Bluefish, and Visual Studio Code, help beginners learn. Attending a coding boot camp can also be effective. Bootcamps are short-term, intensive training workshops available online.

Careers Where Learning to Code is Helpful

According to Reader’s Digest, nearly 50 percent of jobs paying at least $58,000 require some coding skills. It’s estimated that 7 million annual U.S. job openings require knowing how to code. Competency with coding is America’s most desired job skill. Many people assume coding experts can only succeed as computer programmers. A programmer does write code to create functional software that executes tasks perfectly. Nonetheless, learning to code is helpful for hundreds of careers in wide-ranging sectors from medicine to education and finance. Here are some in-demand careers that prioritize candidates with coding abilities.

The benefits of learning to code are actually quite vast. No longer do we live in a time when only tech professionals are using this useful language. Being able to utilize the commands of code yourself will enable you to have more control of the technology on which you depend.

For example, whether it’s for personal or professional use, more and more people are writing blogs and creating websites to share their message or skills with the world. Being able to understand basic code would allow you to make tweaks to the design of your site without having to pay a webmaster to do it for you or to wait for someone from IT to take care of the ticket you submitted ages ago. Knowledge of code can take you even further if you decide to pursue it. Some in-depth study will provide you with the skills to build a website to your own specifications and to fit your desired needs.

If you find you have a passion for technology and a talent for navigating the in-depth nature of computer languages, you could go on to become a professional coder and work for a tech company or even start your own business venture or launch a best-selling idea. The job market is opening up for technologically savvy professionals who have marketable skills in coding.

What Careers Involve Coding?

Careers that involve coding go well beyond positions in data science. There are, in fact, many positions that coding experts can acquire if they are highly knowledgeable in HTML and/or CSS coding. And what is even more appealing about jobs that require coding is that they are highly flexible. Not only can these persons choose to work independently or for a company-based employer, but there is a broad range of fields and companies that employ coding professionals. Just a sample of the careers available to professional coders can be found in the following sections.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Coding?

Learning to code takes anywhere from three months to four years, depending on the learning method. For example, if you choose to attend a coding bootcamp, you can become proficient in at least one coding language in as little as three months. Getting enrolled in specialized courses will help you be more focused towards your learning . Just as an individual has to workout in the gym everyday to stay in shape, similarly everyday coding 20 -30 mins a day can make you a good programmer.

There are a lot of options in between to choose which coding language to opt for, mode of learning, Whichever you choose, you can master the basics of any given coding language in as little as three months if you apply yourself and remain focused. The table below shows you the average time it takes to learn coding using different learning methods:

Learning Method	Average Time to Learn Coding
Self-study with instructor training	6 months
Coding Bootcamp	6 months
College Degree	4 years

What Is a Coding Class?

Coding classes are short-term lessons where you can learn to code. A coding class is a great option if you want to learn some basic coding concepts or focus on one advanced topic and upskill. The best thing is that there are tons of free coding classes where you can learn the basics of coding. The vast majority of these are offered as online courses.

Here at Diana’s we give Specialized coding classes where you can learn from a live instructor with your own learning pace

Is Coding a Good Career?

Yes, a coding career is an excellent professional path. With your coding skills, you can become a computer programmer, software developer, software engineer, or cyber security expert, to name just a few options. These are all professions that pay well above the national average, so choosing coding as a career makes plenty of financial sense.

A career in coding is very secure, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This agency estimates that the number of open positions for software developers will grow by 22 percent from 2020 to 2030. The job outlook for information security professionals is even more impressive, with open positions expected to grow at a rate of 33 percent.

Additionally, a coding career is fulfilling. Your coding skills will probably land you in a fast-paced working environment where you will collaborate with like-minded colleagues. A coding career is also an excellent option because it will always keep you on your toes. You will have to study constantly to keep up with the latest tech, which will help you stay mentally sharp and alert.

Careers Where Learning Code Is Helpful

A coding career path is not limited to software development. There are a slew of in-demand and high-paying jobs where you can apply your coding skills. Below, we take a closer at several unconventional coding career paths:

Job Title	Average Salary	Job Outlook
Product Manager	$133,380	10%
Data Scientist	$131,490	22%
Game Developer	$110,140	22%
Cyber Security Engineer	$102,600	33%
UI/UX Designer	$77,200	13%

Coding Career Paths: A Closer Look

Programming skills open the door to a wide range of coding career paths, including product manager, cyber security engineer, and data scientist. Below, we take a deep dive into some of the best-paid coding career paths. We tell you the main tasks each profession involves and the programming languages that are required.

Coding Jobs: What Can You Do With Coding?

With coding, you can do everything from computer programming to data analysis. The number of jobs that you can do with coding is very high. Coding skills are required to build the digital products that we enjoy today, whether they are video games, team management software, or food delivery apps.

Coding jobs can be found in nearly every industry. Even sectors like insurance, healthcare, and hospitality employ coders. The non-exhaustive list below can give you an idea of the sheer number of jobs in coding: