Course Description
Coding is how we talk to computers. We write instructions to command computers to do certain functions. The instructions can vary from something as simple as turning on a light to robotic-assisted surgeries.
Programming languages allow humans to understand these instructions which are then converted to what the computer can actually read. This conversion is where the coding occurs. Coding is the translation of logic in the instructions to machine-understandable code. A machine can only understand 0s and 1s. Humans would have a very difficult time trying to write instructions using only 0s and 1s. Therefore, programming languages were created to close the gap of communication between man and machine.
In comparison to natural languages, coding is like learning how to write a sentence or the structure of a paragraph. Programming languages all have syntax just like regular languages. Some are used for specific things such as HTML and CSS for websites. These two consist of code that the computer uses to display web pages. For arithmetic and commands, codes can be written in JavaScript, C, or Python. These codes instruct the computer to change what is shown on the screen or activate a robot’s next action.
This course will introduce the basics of coding, including what coding is, why it’s important, and the different types of coding. We will also learn about the different coding languages and how to choose the right language for a project.
We will start by defining coding and explaining why it’s an important skill to have in the 21st century. We will then discuss the different types of coding, such as web development, software development, and data science. Finally, we will talk about the different coding languages and how to choose the right language for a project.
Variables and data types, which are fundamental concepts in coding. Variables are used to store data, and data types define the type of data that can be stored in a variable. We will learn about how to declare variables, assign values to variables, and use variables in expressions. We will also learn about the different data types, such as integers, floats, strings, and boolean.
Control flow statements, which are used to control the order of execution of code. We will learn about the different control flow statements, such as if statements, while loops, and for loops. We will also learn about how to use control flow statements to create more complex programs.
Functions, which are used to organize code and make it more reusable. Functions are blocks of code that can be called repeatedly, and modules are collections of functions that can be imported into other programs. We will learn how to define functions, call functions, and pass arguments to functions.
Once the fundamentals are covered, one can move onto the problem-solving architecture that programming entails.