Programming vs. Coding: What's the Difference?
Many people use "programming" and "coding" interchangeably, but they
are slightly different concepts.
1. Coding
Coding is the process of writing instructions (code) in a programming
language that a computer can understand. It involves translating human
logic into machine-readable commands.
Example of Coding in Python:
python
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print("Hello, World!")
This simple code tells the computer to print "Hello, World!" on the screen.
Key Aspects of Coding:
Writing code in a programming language (Python, C++, Java, etc.).
Requires knowledge of syntax and rules of the language.
Focuses mainly on translating logic into a machine-readable format.
2. Programming
Programming is a broader concept that includes coding but also involves
problem-solving, designing algorithms, debugging, and testing. It is about
creating complete applications or software.
Steps in Programming:
1. Problem Analysis – Understanding what needs to be done.
2. Algorithm Design – Planning the logic or flow of the program.
3. Coding – Writing code in a suitable programming language.
4. Debugging – Finding and fixing errors.
5. Testing & Execution – Running the program and ensuring it works
correctly.
Example: If you're building a weather app, programming involves:
Gathering data from a weather API.
Processing and analyzing the data.
Designing a user-friendly interface.
Writing the code and debugging issues.
Conclusion
Coding is about writing code using a programming language.
Programming is a broader process that includes coding but also
involves logic, problem-solving, and debugging.