Great question. Computers know how to run software, apps, and websites by following a set of instructions. These sets of instructions are called programs, and they're written in code. When you code, you talk to computers and tell them what to do!
Wait a second: Coding is writing computer programs?
Exactly! So, coding and computer programming are the same thing.
From major tech giants like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg to supermodels like Karlie Kloss, there's a lot of emphasis on the importance of learning to code these days. Big organizations creating the buzz, like code.org and Black Girls Code, focus on "coding" instead of "computer programming."
But if they're the same thing, why are people using the word "coding" to drive the movement instead of "computer programming"?
There's an argument that it's because "coding" is shorter. That's valid.
There's also some that may say "coding" sounds ~cooler~ than "computer programming." (Bitsbox thinks both sound equally awesome.)
Personally, I think "coding" sounds more beginner-friendly. Organizations driving the movement want to make computer programming as approachable as possible. At Bitsbox, we're getting kids as young as 6 to code and the last thing we want to do is intimidate beginners, which is why we most often use the word "coding".
Are you interested in learning more about the movement to get coding? Check out our post 8 reasons coding for kids isn't just another fad to read all about why your kids should be next to learn!
