Coding can help you follow a wide range of career paths in tech. Coding skills are valuable in pursuing a career in web development, app development, software engineering, machine learning, and data science. When you learn the coding terminology that surrounds your preferred specialization by heart, you’re stepping up your game and getting closer to the lucrative tech job you want.
So, to help you build a strong coding foundation, we came up with a glossary of coding terminology in this article. We have a list of coding terms that you may or may not have encountered before. Consider this guide as your coding terminology cheat sheet that supports you in being committed to understanding more about your coding journey.
What Is Coding?
Coding is about communicating with machines by converting what we would say in a human language to a machine language. This method gives machines clear instructions to perform tasks and actions defined in binary digits. Experts in coding, commonly known as coders, write in programming languages to provide computers and machines instructions for actions.
Coding is writing a piece of code, while programming involves more than the code to develop apps and quality products. With so many ways to learn to code, it’s best to learn the basics first, so you can choose a programming language or software. You can do coding in full stack development, where you can specialize in a language for web or application development like Java, Ruby, C++, or Swift.
Who Uses Coding Terminology?
Those who work in computer science or information technology (IT) and related fields use coding terminology. Agile software development, scrum, sprints, and kanban are among the terms they encounter daily. Professionals in computer science or IT practically execute these coding terms and get well-paid for it.
Computer programmers who regularly write and test codes earn an average annual salary of $89,190. So, if you’re an aspiring coder or computer programmer, you can learn the top programming languages popular in a given industry or learn coding in general to kickstart a well-paid tech career. You can also help develop applications and software for health care providers, insurance companies, and business owners.
List of Coding Terms: Things Every Web Developer Should Know
- Algorithm
- Application programming interface
- Array
- Augmented reality
- Bug
- Computational thinking
- Data types
- Encryption
- Expression
- Integrated development environment
- Iteration
- Loop
- Low-level language
- Machine code
- Markup language
- Object
- Object-oriented language
- Operator
- User interface
- Variable type
Glossary of Coding Terminology: 5 Common Coding Terms
If you’re interested in coding, having a list of coding terms in your knowledge bank will help you understand different concepts. A glossary of coding terminology will equip you to be a good programmer, web developer, or designer. Below are bite-sized explanations about the most common coding terms you must know.
Algorithm
An algorithm is a set of defined instructions to perform actions. It involves writing the code to command a computer or machine to follow the steps defined through an algorithm. Its ultimate purpose is to solve a specific problem while solving smaller issues along the way.
Why Web Developers Need to Know About Algorithms
Algorithms are the basic components of a website to take in user input. Web developers can write the algorithms from scratch or use tools with predefined algorithms to help develop parts of a website. This is why web developers must be familiar with a programming language and apply them in writing algorithms to develop a website.
Array
Arrays are part of data structures in a code. They store data elements of the same type and in a fixed number. Arrays also create collections of related variables arranged in lists or tables. The elements of an array are part of an index that allows access to what’s in the array.
Why Web Developers Need to Know About Arrays
Arrays are helpful in programming algorithms for a website or application. Web developers also use arrays to sort, operate, search, and name data. Different programming languages have different types of arrays, different ways to store data, and different rules for memory allocation.
Bug
In simple terms, bugs are errors that occur in executing an algorithm or program. These errors and flaws in the code stop the software from performing expected actions. As a result, bugs cause malfunctions and make programs crash.
Why Web Developers Need to Know About Bugs
Web developers perform tests to eliminate bugs and avoid defects. They remove errors by doing a code review or performing tests. They test rigorously across different development stages to improve the quality of software and websites they’ll launch. This helps enhance the user experience of websites, online platforms, and social media applications.
Markup Language
A markup language is a coding language that’s simple to read and write. The most common markup language that you might have heard of is HTML, which stands for Hypertext Markup Language. HTML is relatively easy to learn for designing websites and web pages. To write a code in markup languages, you will use keywords and markup tags.
Why Web Developers Need to Know About Markup Language
Web developers use markup languages to create websites with less complex coding. This is because a markup language has a loose syntax that’s easy to learn and use. In addition, web developers benefit from markup language in writing content and defining web page structure.
Object
Objects correspond to real or abstract instances in object-oriented programming languages. A class defines an object and what it can do. Typically, an object can hold data types, characteristics of data sets, methods, or other objects. Methods, on the other hand, are the actions that an object has to perform.
Why Web Developers Need to Know About Objects
To write good code, web developers must fully understand any given problem and define objects and data structures accordingly. Hastily defined data types in objects make it difficult to enhance functionality and iterate the development process. Objects are an essential part of Python, Java, and C++, which are object-oriented programming languages that web developers commonly use.
Coding Terminology Cheat Sheet: 5 Advanced Coding Terms
Project-based learning is a great way to understand and apply coding terminologies and concepts. Once you understand a simple block of code in one project, you can learn more advanced coding terms by accepting other, more complex projects. Check out the coding terminology cheat sheet below as you learn coding beyond the basics.
Application Programming Interface
An application programming interface (API) serves as an intermediary for two applications to communicate with each other, connect services, and share data. It provides protocols, rules, and routines between applications. With an API, a social application doesn’t need to build a payment function from scratch. They can just connect to another existing payment application to enable that service.
Why Web Developers Should Know About Application Programming Interface
Application programming interface helps web developers add functionalities to components of an application. Functionalities may include payments, gaming, marketplace, and all other services that are not part of an existing application but available in others. As a computing interface, an API simplifies programming complexities by making certain features of applications easily available.
Computational Thinking
Computational thinking is the process of logically assessing a problem and breaking it down to come up with a solution. Computational thinking allows us to find similarities, differences, and patterns. It helps in the process of finding, developing, and executing solutions.
Why Web Developers Should Know About Computational Thinking
Web developers adopt computational thinking to solve real-world problems using computers. Computational thinking helps them focus on the important details and write efficient algorithms. It allows them to think step-by-step and follow a process.
Encryption
Encryption is a method to secure information in plain text by converting it to cipher text. Cipher texts are not readable without a key, but they can be decrypted or shown in a readable format with the help of a decryption key. Encryption plays an important role in information security and computer science.
Why Web Developers Should Know About Encryption
Web developers use encryption in creating digital signatures, document confidentiality, and electronic payments. They also implement encryption techniques to secure information. Encryption ensures that access to data is available to authorized users only.
Integrated Development Environment
An integrated development environment (IDE) is a package or suite for software development. They give programmers the tools to create applications and software more productively. An IDE typically provides an editor to write the code and a compiler to execute the program. They also have a debugger to test algorithms and libraries of predefined codes.
Why Web Developers Should Know About Integrated Development Environments
IDEs allow web developers to consolidate coding activities. Because of IDEs, writing the source code, debugging, and automating executions saves time, as they can all be done in one place. You can code in any programming language in an IDE, and it also helps correct syntax errors.
Object-Oriented Language
Object-oriented languages are high-level programming languages that are programmer-friendly. In object-oriented programming, developers break down real-world problems into parts and define digital objects. Ruby is a good example of an object-oriented language for open-source software development.
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Why Web Developers Should Know About Object-Oriented Languages
Web developers use object-oriented languages in coding. These types of languages help solve complex problems and find effective computational solutions by creating objects. Web developers use object-oriented languages in classes, making it easy to write, reuse, and troubleshoot a piece of code.
How Can I Learn Coding Terminology in 2022?
Many resources, online coding courses, and coding bootcamps are available to learn coding terminology. Through these resources, you can also learn about other coding tools, such as block-based programming languages like Scratch and Blockly. Even if you shy away from a college education, you can still build up a strong coding knowledge base and skills by joining coding bootcamps.
With bootcamps, you’ll have the chance to enjoy project-based learning. You’ll also learn the best practices, standards, and guidelines in coding, and you’ll have the chance to keep practicing writing codes. As you master the art and science of coding through bootcamps, you’ll be on your way to getting high-paying coding jobs without a degree in no time.
Coding FAQ
The cheapest method of learning to code is by taking advantage of online learning resources like coding blogs and courses. Many online resources and discussion groups can also help you learn how to code, figure out coding guidelines, get familiar with common programming terms, and find solutions if you get stuck on your coding journey.
Yes, you can learn to code without any prior knowledge or a computer science background. However, you might need to be extra diligent in practicing to hone your skills and build up your coding vocabulary. The best coding bootcamps can help you get entry-level jobs in web development and gain other in-demand skills even if you have no experience.
No, coding doesn’t require knowledge or experience in math. You can learn to code with basic math skills. During coding, you’ll come across a wide range of arithmetic operators, boolean expressions, conditional expressions, and assignment operators.
Start with learning coding terminology and the fundamental concepts of coding and programming, such as variable type, data structure, and syntax. Then, you can choose a programming language you can use in completing your first coding project. As you advance on your career path, you can learn a high-level language.
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