In the next 15 years, kids will be programming at the age of 5, like they do reading and writing now.
Just like we need to learn how to read and write , our children will need to know how to communicated with technology.
Coding is basically the computer language used to develop apps, websites and software. Without it, we’d have none of the major 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.
If we think of the code as a language, we can very well say the coding is one of the most used languages in the world. In a world where most jobs involove programming and dealing with software, code becomes the new world wide language.
What is Coding ?
Coding is the act of writing instructions to make the computer perform a task. Coding may also be called programming.
Every app, game and software program we use requires a coded program to work. Many of our household appliances and even cars also require a coded program to work.
A program must be written in a way that a computer understands. This is done with different computer languages like HTML, Javascript, C ,Phyton.
When learning to code, children typically learn to use pre-made blocks of codes that can be stacked together to from a sequence of instructions.
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.
Benefits of Coding
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 you depend upon. Some of'em are:
Improves persistence
Studies show that when given a coding task, children were found to focus a lot more intensely than normal, and for longer periods, and they voluntarily persisted on the task, without giving up.
Exercises the mind
Coding teaches kids to think deeply, not just remember facts. Finding a bug through trial and error is empowering to students and builds their confidence in their abilities to solve any problem they may have, by attacking it from different angles.
Boosts creativity
Instead of simply playing a video game or using an app, they can create their own video games, animation movies, websites or apps. This involves creating their own imaginary worlds and characters. This allows their natural creativity to shine through.
Sharpens problem solving skills
When kids code, they take complex problems and break them down into smaller parts. This helps them think logically and create a ste-by-step thinking pattern.
Prepared for the future
Even students who do not work in the technology industry will also benefit throughout their life and careers by learning computer science, as all all professionals, including doctors and artists will be using computers, everyday, as part of their profession
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.
Having a basic knowledge of coding can simply help you to have a better understanding of how the technology you use every day works. It’s an empowering feeling.