4 answers
Chris
Student
Alaska, MI
1
Question
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What is the difference betweens coding and programming?
Explain it in such a way a kid or a someone who isn't into tech would understand
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4 answers
Matt Houle
Solutions Architect
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Exact same thing. You might hear software engineering, software developer, and many more terms as well. But generally they are all interchangeable.
Sam Pawley
Senior Principal Security Engineer
3
Answers
Gladewater, Texas
Updated
Sam’s Answer
Those are synonyms for the same thing.
When you want to create a computer program, your write what's called the "source code" for the program. These are the instructions that the computer follows to make the program do what you want it to do.
The term "programming" also means writing the instructions that the computer follows to make the program do what you want it to do.
So, writing the "source code" is often called "coding" for short. And if you are "coding" a program's instructions, then you are "programming" too.
When you want to create a computer program, your write what's called the "source code" for the program. These are the instructions that the computer follows to make the program do what you want it to do.
The term "programming" also means writing the instructions that the computer follows to make the program do what you want it to do.
So, writing the "source code" is often called "coding" for short. And if you are "coding" a program's instructions, then you are "programming" too.
Francis Ashkar
information and computer science student
20
Answers
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District, Israel
Updated
Francis’s Answer
Hey Chris! 👋🤖 Let me explain the difference between coding and programming in a way that even someone who isn't into tech could understand. Get ready for a fun analogy! 😄
Imagine you're a chef 👨🍳, and you're going to make a delicious cake. 🎂 Coding is like following a recipe step-by-step to bake that cake. You have a list of ingredients (like flour, sugar, eggs, etc.) and a set of instructions (like "mix the dry ingredients," "beat the eggs," "bake at 350°F for 30 minutes," etc.). You're just executing those instructions one by one, without really understanding why you're doing each step.
Programming, on the other hand, is like creating the recipe itself! 📝 It's the process of designing and writing the instructions (the code) that a computer can understand and follow. Just like a chef might experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create a new recipe, a programmer uses their problem-solving skills and creativity to develop a program that can solve a specific task or automate a process.
So, while coding is about following instructions, programming is about creating those instructions from scratch. 💻 It's like being the mastermind behind the recipe instead of just following it.
But don't worry, Chris! Both coding and programming are essential skills in the tech world, and they often go hand-in-hand. 🤝 Programmers write the code, and then other people (or even the programmers themselves) execute that code by coding.
Hope this analogy helps you understand the difference in a fun and easy way! 🍰🎉 Let me know if you have any other questions!
Imagine you're a chef 👨🍳, and you're going to make a delicious cake. 🎂 Coding is like following a recipe step-by-step to bake that cake. You have a list of ingredients (like flour, sugar, eggs, etc.) and a set of instructions (like "mix the dry ingredients," "beat the eggs," "bake at 350°F for 30 minutes," etc.). You're just executing those instructions one by one, without really understanding why you're doing each step.
Programming, on the other hand, is like creating the recipe itself! 📝 It's the process of designing and writing the instructions (the code) that a computer can understand and follow. Just like a chef might experiment with different ingredients and techniques to create a new recipe, a programmer uses their problem-solving skills and creativity to develop a program that can solve a specific task or automate a process.
So, while coding is about following instructions, programming is about creating those instructions from scratch. 💻 It's like being the mastermind behind the recipe instead of just following it.
But don't worry, Chris! Both coding and programming are essential skills in the tech world, and they often go hand-in-hand. 🤝 Programmers write the code, and then other people (or even the programmers themselves) execute that code by coding.
Hope this analogy helps you understand the difference in a fun and easy way! 🍰🎉 Let me know if you have any other questions!
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
414
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
I am not aware of any difference, let alone a significant one. I've always heard (and used) them interchangeably.