Let's Code

What is coding?

Coding runs the world as we know it, but the vast majority of people aren’t even aware of its existence, let alone what it even is, despite the fact that coding is vital for most of the contemporary businesses. That's why those who choose to learn to code are in high demand for employers.

Before we start digging deeper, try to answer "What is Coding?" for yourself...

Now, right-click somewhere inside your browser window, and select ‘View Page Source.’ Scroll through the window that pops up and see if you recognize or understand anything.

As you may have expected, you were just viewing the code behind this webpage, or the document object model (DOM). That means that you see the full markup of the page and if you have learned at least the basics HTML, CSS or JavaScript, it might be easier to spot some familiar tags and elements.

Now, in simple terms, let’s define coding as the basic act of writing–in a programming language–a script that a computer can understand. This script will tell the computer to behave in a certain way, to do a certain thing, and to, ultimately, perform the actions that you want it to...if your code is right.

Computers don't understand human language and in order for us to see some results (like displaying a web page), we have to write it in a way that the computer would understand. Think of your code as a translator between English (or whatever language you speak) and Binary. If you can do this, it will suddenly become much easier to grasp the basics of what is coding.

So, think about it this way: your machine only really speaks Binary, but it understands different coding languages. In the same way, you only really speak your native language, but you understand the same coding languages (if you at least have the basics of some, of course). The fact that both you and your computer share a common understanding of programming languages means that you can communicate with each other.

Some of the popular coding languages include HTML, CSS, Python, Java, and JavaScript.

Explore and build underwater Minecraft worlds with code. Watch the below introduction video and then click the button below the video to get started!

Can you be the hero in this Minecraft adventure? Watch the below introduction video and then click the button below the video to get started!

In this activity, you use Blockly to program tunes matching ones you hear and see on a keyboard. You will complete a series of nine levels, each with an increasingly difficult tune. After the ninth level, you can create your very own tune! Watch the video below for a mix of ten famous classical piano pieces. Then, begin your musical coding venture at the button below the video.

Use your creativity and imagination to bring the Google Doodle (logo) to life using code. Make the letters dance, tell a story or create a game. With Scratch and CS First, anyone can become a designer and programmer for the day! Check out some examples below before clicking the button to begin your own Google Doodle!

Last week you created a Google Doodle, and this week, you get to create your very own logo! You'll learn coding basics in the programming language Python. After you work through the tutorial, you'll have all the skills you need to create your very own logo! See below for some vocabulary and concepts to review before getting started. Feel free to create your own personal logo reflecting who you are as a person, or design a logo for a new business.

Coding Rules and Concepts

• Key Concept: In this lesson students will learn about the shape objects and how to customize them to exact locations and dimensions. The key to defining the specifics of shapes is in their parameters. Parameters control how an action or command will happen. When dragging out a shape block from the toolkit, the shape creation statement will come with a comment that shows what each parameter controls for that shape. Comments are notes or documentation included in the code that the computer will completely ignore.

• Rules:

  • Shapes are just like sprites but they require a few extra parameters to define their dimensions.

  • Every sprite and shape has a variable name which is the orange word to the left of the equals sign.

  • Parameters are always included within parentheses. Multiple parameters must be separated by commas. Each parameter will determine a different aspect of the command that it belongs to.

  • Comments can be made by first typing a #. Anything typed after the # will appear gray in the code editor and will be completely ignored by the computer. Comments are useful for providing notes for the programmer or reader about what the code does.

  • Strings should be surrounded by quotes and appear green in the Codesters editor.

  • Parentheses must always come in pairs. The left one is known as the open parenthesis and the right is known as the close parenthesis. There must always be an open and a close that match up.

Common Errors

• Check for missing quotes or parentheses. Students may use single quotes or two single quotes. Students may delete one quote.

• Check for misspelled words. Many students are used to relying on spell check and auto-correct, but these don’t exist in coding. The computer may not be able to understand commands if words are misspelled.

• Check the color of the text. Text in quotes should turn green. Numbers should turn blue.

• Students may confuse which parameters control which aspect of a shape.

• Students may not use unique variable names for their different shapes or sprites. This can cause unexpected errors when shapes or sprites don't do actions that they were intended to do.

Vocabulary

• parameter: input that controls how a command, function, or event runs in your program

• variable name: the name to the left of the equals sign that identifies a variable

• variable: a name that holds a value

• comment: information that is not read by the computer; comments appear gray and will always have a # in front of each line

• string: text information that is surrounded by quotation marks

Learn the basics of building virtual reality worlds using HTML and the A-Frame JavaScript Library. Through this activity, you will build your own virtual reality world that is compatible with VR devices. Watch the introduction video below and then click the button below the video to begin building your VR world!

This course will allow you to use code as a way to share what is important or interesting to you. You can follow the lesson or create unique projects while learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Throughout the project, there are video tutorials, live coding, and access to the code glossary. The People Who Inspire Me project focuses on creating a webpage to showcase the top three people who have been an inspiration to you. Click the button below to get started!

Learn to code a real game like Super Mario Bros! This project will introduce you to real games industry practice, creative coding concepts, teach you how to publish their own unique game, and prepare you to start working towards a career in the games industry. The tutorial is all about level design, choosing a character, animating, and coding your character to move around.

Follow this lesson to create unique projects while learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript. You will be guided with video tutorials, live coding, and access to the code glossary. This lesson focuses on creating a set of interactive cards that contain your favorite jokes and riddles and the answers!

Now that you are an experienced coder, we are going to bring in more challenging missions!

This week, let's get ready to race! By calling functions and designing classes, players program their own race car to be fast, nimble, and powerful; during races, they can then hack their competitors' vehicles to scramble their controls.