Intro to

Code
1. What is code and how does it
work?
Computers are becoming so embedded into our daily lives it's almost impossible
to imagine a world without them.

But computers would be nothing without the code that tells them what to do.

In this lesson you’ll learn what code is and how coders use it to help the world
run smoothly. You’ll also learn about the World Wide Web, and two coding
languages that make it possible.

What is code?

Code is sets of rules and instructions, written in a specific programming

language, that helps us talk to machines.

Just as humans speak different languages, so do machines. There are hundreds

of programming languages, each suited to different tasks.

Coders are people who understand and work with these languages on a daily
basis.

So, what does a coder do? Coders are the architects and builders of the digital
world. They use code to create programs that run on most of the machines you
see and use every day: from laptops to phones, TVs, cars and internet-
connected fridges.

In fact, the device you’re using right now to listen to this lesson has a complex
program that makes sure the screen, speakers, microchip and ‘you’ work
together in harmony.

To build these programs, coders write small sequences of tasks that they want
the machines to perform. We call these sequences ‘algorithms’.
For example, cars, have computer programs that monitor all of their systems. An
algorithm within a car’s program could be the following: “If a button is pressed on
the car’s dashboard, make the engine status appear on the screen.”

The amount of code can range from just a thousand lines, which a simple mobile
phone game would need to run, to over 2 billion lines, like the code that powers
Google’s search engine.

Let’s focus on one of the world-changing applications of code: the World Wide
Web.

Did you know the Internet and the Web are actually different things? In fact, the
World Wide Web is just an application that's been built using the Internet.

Let’s break this down further: the Internet is a global network of connections
between computers that allows them to transfer information between each other.
We use the Internet to send emails, make calls, watch videos and access the
Web through browsers like Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

The Web, on the other hand, is a collection of billions of pages of information that
have been made using code. The most well known programming languages on
the Web include HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style
Sheets).

Imagine the Internet as a city, with roads and cables connecting everything and
everyone together. Inside this city, the buildings represent the Web. Some of
these buildings are libraries that store information, some are cinemas where we
go to watch films. But all of them are made out of bricks, or coding languages.

So how do coders use these languages?

Well, when you click on a link or type a web address, you’re actually asking
another computer to send you an HTML file. That file contains the information
your browser needs to display a web page.

Although you immediately see this page of content as visually complete, your
browser actually receives hundreds of lines of HTML code telling it exactly which
text, images, videos and spaces to display, and where.

CSS is an additional coding language that shapes the visual style of a web page.
If HTML defines ‘what’ is displayed, then CSS defines ‘how’ it’s displayed. It
makes sure that colours, fonts, and other style choices are applied to a web page
before you see it. This is useful when working with lots of HTML pages. Instead
of coding the visual style into every single page, you can just make one master
CSS file and link each page to that.

Now that we’ve explored the basics of coding, from computer programs, to
algorithms, to HTML and CSS, it’s time to continue your learning. Try your hand
at writing a bit of code yourself: it’s not as difficult as you might think. Check out
the resources at the end of this video, or explore one of the many coding tutorials
available on the web.

Key learnings

Code powers much of what we see and do in the online world, but what is it
exactly and how does it work? Let's clear away the mystery and uncover what
coders do. In this video, we'll explain:

 what code is
 what code looks like
 where you can find it online

How code is used in website development?

Code is a set of browses needs in order to display things like text,

images and videos on the web page.

Nicely done.

When you open a website, your browser receives hundreds of

lines of code telling it exactly what text, images and videos to
display, and where.
2. Introduction to programming languages

The field of coding is constantly evolving to keep up with all of the new
applications, computers and digital devices that are developed every year.
Hundreds of programming languages now exist, with new ones emerging all the
time.

In this lesson we’ll explore why there are so many programming languages, how
these languages are used, and what the future holds for code.

Kotlin, Rust and Julia. No, not the names of pet dogs. These three are just a tiny
example of the number of programming languages available - today, there are
over 250 of them.

So why do we need so many ways to communicate with machines? Why won’t

just one do?

The reason is that it’s much quicker to communicate in languages that are built
for a specific task, rather than to use a generic one for everything. And as
computer programming has evolved, so have the ways that coders build
programmes.

It’s similar to the specialised technical languages that have developed in different
industries. Doctors need specific terms to talk precisely about patients and
medical conditions, just as engineers have a specific language to communicate
about design and materials.

Let’s take a look at the fundamentals of coding in more detail and some of its
most common applications.

The most basic language that computers understand is called ‘binary’. You might
have heard this term before. Binary code is made up of ones and zeros, and
these are the only characters that the language uses. Coders write programs in
their preferred programming language which then get converted into something a
machine understands i.e ‘binary’ It’s easy for computers to understand but
incredibly difficult for humans. So not even the best coders write programs using
it. Instead, they write in their preferred programming language and it gets
converted into something a machine understands.

We can categorise different programing languages using something called ‘levels

of abstraction’. The lower the level of abstraction, the closer a language is to the
ones and zeros of binary, which is more difficult for humans to master. And the
higher the level of abstraction, the further away it is from binary, and the easier
the language generally is for us humans to use and work with.

Let’s look at an analogy that will help us to understand what abstraction is.

Imagine you’re designing a house. It’s much faster and easier to draw a basic
sketch, outlining the shape, the materials, and the fittings, than it is to go into
detail about every nail, brick, and plank of wood. As long as you communicate
the essence of that house, the architects and builders will fill in the gaps.

The basic sketch is equivalent to ‘high-abstraction’, or a high-level programming

language. It’s still the house, but a simplified representation of it. A high-
resolution model or a detailed set of blueprints for the house would be the
equivalent of ‘low-abstraction’, or a low-level programming language. While this
offers a much more comprehensive representation, it’s also far harder and more
labour-intensive to design.

Let’s look at some languages at a low-level of abstraction:

‘C’ and ‘Assembly’: Computers can understand them relatively easily. This
means they can translate the code very quickly and they don't need much
memory power to run programs. This makes ‘C’ and ‘Assembly’ perfect for
building smaller computers that tell devices such as cars, digital watches,
thermostats and traffic lights how to work.

Languages like “C++” and “Swift” are written at a higher level of abstraction.
These are easier for people to work with, but a little resource intensive for
machines to read. Coders use these languages to build things like the mobile,
tablet, and desktop apps that you use on a daily basis. These languages are
really versatile as they need to perform lots of different tasks.

Managing data is another important application of coding, as the amount of data

we produce on the planet increases. Coders use higher-level languages like
“SQL” (pronounced “sequel”) to capture, store, analyse and sort that data in lots
of different ways.

If you look at how a social network application is coded, then behind the photos,
updates, and likes is a huge database that securely stores data from its millions
of users. By manipulating the data with SQL, social networks can recommend
friends, target ads, and show you relevant content.

But, the most commonly used programming language in the world is

"JavaScript". Whenever you're on a web page and you see a game, interactive
chart, or lots of moving elements, you're seeing JavaScript at work. In fact, 95%
of the 10 million most popular web pages use it. JavaScript is a 'scripting'
programming language, which is a family of languages designed to be as friendly
as possible for coders.

Now that we’ve explored some of the applications of code, take some time to
research the computer programs you use on a daily basis. Put on your detective
hat and search online to see which languages were used to build them, and
what’s happening behind the scenes.

To wrap up, there are many programming languages out there, each used to
achieve different goals. A mix of low, mid and high level languages enable
coders to write for a range of purposes, whether it’s C and Assembly to program
smaller computers and devices, or SQL and JavaScript to manage databases,
and JavaScript for bringing interactivity to websites.

Regardless of the language, the goal of programming is always the same: to

instruct a computer to complete a specific task that will help you to do things
faster, easier, and more effectively.

Key learnings

Today, hundreds of programming languages exist, each with it's own unique
attributes. But why do we need so many options when it comes to code? In this
video, we'll explore:

 the world of programming languages, and why so many are being used
 some of the most popular programming languages in use today
 the fundamental concepts behind binary coding

The following facts about programming languages:

There are many programming languages out there, and each one is used for
different purposes.
A mix of low, mid and high level programming languages allow coders to
write for a range of purposes.
All programming languages eventually get converted to binary code, which all
machines understand.
That's right, great work!
Nicely done.
While different programming languages are used for a range of
purposes, the goal of programming generally remains the same: to
instruct a computer to carry out a specific task. All languages
eventually get converted to 'binary', which is the most basic
language, and one which all computers understand.

3. How code powers our daily lives

In the last few decades computers have become smaller, faster and cheaper.
They are now everywhere, from your phone to your fridge, helping us to
communicate, do business and get around.

In this lesson we’ll explore how computers integrate with our daily lives, and how
code is used to help program the innovative technologies popular today.

Almost all companies now use digital systems to conduct their day-to-day
business. They use advanced accounting software for smart bookkeeping; teams
communicate by email, messaging, or video conference; vendors track sales
through sensors and databases; and often retailers sell products that only exist in
the digital world.

In the last 50 years the speed and size of computer microchips has changed
massively. The computers that put a man on the moon cost $3.5 million and were
the size of a car. Today, the average smartphone is 12 million times faster and
fits in your pocket.

This small, inexpensive technology is now everywhere: toasters, cars, medical

devices, clothing. And much of it is connected to the Internet.

Coders can use sets of functions and procedures called APIs (application
programming interfaces) to help two computer applications talk to each other.
Let’s explore a few everyday examples of how computers use APIs to make life
simpler for us.

ATMs use APIs connected to banks all over the world to check how much money
you have in your account. If you want to get money out in Paris, the ATM
program quickly contacts your bank in London, deducts the amount off your
balance, transfers it to the ATM company, and you get your cash. All in a few
seconds, and all because of APIs.
When you book a hotel room through a centralised booking site, like
Booking.com, you are relying on an API that connects the booking form with
room tracking systems in thousands of hotels all over the world. If the hotel tells
the booking site they have a free room, you can book away!

Music streaming applications like Spotify track which songs are being played the
most across the world. They use this data to automatically generate playlists that
feature the most popular artists and songs, often tailored specifically to your
musical tastes.

Using APIs, programs can communicate with each other, which in turn helps us
to complete tasks faster and more efficiently in our daily lives and in the
workplace.

The world of code is constantly evolving. Let’s briefly look at two important trends
in technology that are shaping how people code: artificial intelligence and
machine learning.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are both branches of computer

science, and both contribute to the development of machines being able to make
smarter decisions.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the science of making machines intelligent. AI is

already helping improve our day-to-day lives: from smartphone assistance and
the technology that detects credit card fraud, to smart thermostats like Nest that
automatically adjust room temperatures based on your habits and schedule.

Machine learning is a technique used to further develop AI. Machine learning

programs identify patterns, make predictions, and learn from examples, without
being explicitly programmed to do so. We already benefit from machine learning
in many situations: from predicting traffic patterns, recognising faces in photo
libraries, and translating foreign languages.

To put these two together: AI takes what machine learning has learnt from its
environment and uses it to make intelligent decisions. Artificial intelligence and
machine learning are also being used on larger scales: for example, farmers use
it to sort vegetables into different sizes and qualities; scientists use it to track the
movement of animals; and medical researchers are using it to detect the
emergence of different cancers.

These exciting new technologies are providing us with new ways of looking at old
problems, and are helping to transform the way coders can shape the digital and
physical worlds.
So that was a brief introduction to some of the ways code affects our everyday
lives. Take a look around your home, or your workplace. Which devices are
connected to the internet? What APIs are they gathering their data from? Is there
anything around you that’s already using AI or machine learning? And if not, what
around you do you think could benefit from these technologies?
Key learnings

As technology improves, so do the coding languages that power it. Let's dive a
little deeper into how coding has transformed our online experiences, and
uncover how code impacts day-to-day life. In this video, we'll cover:

 what are APIs and how they allow programs to communicate with one
another
 what Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning are, and the
differences between them
 how AI and Machine Learning are being applied in the real world

Which, if any, of Sasha's recent activities might have used APIs

(Application Programming Interfaces)?
 Yes
When she booked a holiday to Paris through a travel fare
comparison site.
When she listened to trending jazz music on various streaming
apps.
 No
When she gets loyalty points for recommending her favourite
restaurant to someone.
When she does the weekly shop in her local supermarket.

That's right, great work!

Nicely done.
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) help two computer applications
talk to each other. In Sasha'a case, APIs connected various systems
together to give her the best-priced tickets to Paris, plus the latest trending
jazz music.
4. Working in code: developers and everyday industries

Today’s industries are becoming more and more reliant on digital technologies to
succeed. But whilst code is what powers the work we do on a daily basis, most of
us are only just beginning to harness its full potential.

In this lesson you’ll learn why code is important in the modern workplace, and
why almost everyone can benefit from having a basic understanding of code.

Most technologies emerge to satisfy specific human needs. Ancient hunter

gatherers needed tools to help them grow crops and prepare them for eating: so
they invented sickles to cut the wheat. The same is true with digital technologies.
Tools like Microsoft Word and Google Docs were invented to help us write, edit,
and share information faster. Video conferencing applications like Skype were
invented to improve long-distance communication.

Today, many manual and repetitive tasks are automated. This has led to massive
increases in efficiency and the numbers of new products and services. In an ideal
world, we would let computers do things they’re good at, leaving humans to do
the things we’re good at.

For example, machine learning allows computers to complete regular tasks in an

ever-more efficient way, by automatically learning what works best from past
experiences.

The rapid changes in the world of digital technology means jobs we can't even
imagine today will be created. So to stay ahead in the modern workplace we
need to learn how to work with these new coding languages, devices, and
applications, and use them to enhance our own productivity.

Let’s look at a few jobs that have coding at their core.

Mobile Developers use programming languages like Java and Swift to make the
apps and games you use on your phone. Since the Apple and Google app stores
were launched 10 years ago, the world of apps has enjoyed enormous
popularity. There are now millions to choose from, no matter what kind of
smartphone you have.

Data Scientists use code to gather, analyse and understand massive amounts of
data. They are becoming increasingly in demand as companies look for experts
to help their teams make smarter business decisions. By using data and
evidence, teams can understand the real cost or benefit of different choices -
from the value of placing an advertisement, to a breakdown of the time that’s
spent on different business activities.

System Administrators are the mechanics of the digital world. They often work in
larger companies making sure that their complex computer systems are
configured properly and working effectively. Most are highly skilled professionals,
often required to look after both the digital software and the physical hardware.

And finally, Robot Programmers of course use code on a daily basis make all
sorts of robots work. Within the manufacturing industry, robots are everywhere,
and they all need to be programmed with maneuvering and decision-making
capabilities to do their jobs properly. Some robots put out fires, some explore
outer space, and others build cars on assembly lines.

These are just four examples of jobs that utilise coding, but there are hundreds
and hundreds of others out there, in almost every industry. And as code
becomes increasingly important, so will the jobs that utilise it.

In addition to full-time coding roles, some jobs also utilise code alongside their
day-to-day work, despite not explicitly being coding jobs. Here are a few
examples:

Researchers, journalists, and marketers now use task automation tools like If
This Then That and Zapier to make the laborious task of collecting data from
multiple sources much easier. With just a few clicks, they can set up these apps
to collate information from multiple web pages, post across multiple social media
accounts, or notify them when their name is mentioned online.

Designers, art directors and other creative professionals can benefit from basic
coding knowledge too. Where once they would have been limited to a relatively
static and constrained medium, they now can use code to explore new ways to
express ideas and create experiences.

Last but not least, engineers in many fields often write computer programs to
help test and design their creations - from fine-tuning car dashboards, to
simulating passenger movement at airports. Whilst most of their time is spent
completing engineering work, many of them now need a basic understanding of a
coding language like Python to keep up in their field.

Now you know a bit more about code in the world of work, do a little research into
the industry you work in, or another one that interests you. What new
technologies are being developed that might change the way you work? What
exciting opportunities are there on the horizon? With the world changing faster
than ever, it pays to stay ahead of the curve.

Key learnings

Coding is such a big part of our daily lives. Let's explore how code has
transformed various industries and how it could benefit you. In this video, we'll
cover:

 the ways code is changing jobs and the workplace

 examples of jobs that have coding at their core
 how basic coding knowledge can help, even if you're not a coder

Lola owns a big farm in Devon, but often struggles to retain

employees. She's keen to find new ways to keep her business running,
and recently attended a local event about the advantages of machine
learning, AI and coding.

How might a basic understanding of coding help Lola run her farm better?
By automating repetitive tasks.

Nicely done.

Coding can help Lola's farm be more efficient by automating manual and
repetitive tasks.

Using code to automate manual and repetitive tasks is helping many

businesses work faster and more efficiently.