If you think coding is just something for your friend in computer science, you might want to know what coding actually is and what it does.

Whether you are an artist or a chef, coding is an important skill to have. 

We spend hours on our laptop, phone, tablet and other gadgets. Using digital platforms to share the ideas of millions of people around the world makes coding just as important as any other subject taught in schools.

Simply put, coding is the language computers use to communicate; from a simple calculator to your fancy Apple watch, coding makes it work. 

Fashion, engineering, agriculture or marketing, industries rely on computers, and computers rely on coding.

Technology plays a big role in almost any career you choose. 

Learning computer programming not only helps in understanding this technology, but also in securing employment.

“In fifteen years, we’ll be teaching programming just like reading and writing,” Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said in an interview with Computer Science Education Week magazine. 

Importance of computer literacy can be measured by the growing number of jobs and its impact on the economy. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics under the Obama Administration found that there will be more than 1.4 million computer science-related jobs available by 2020 and only 400,000 graduates to fulfill those job requirements. 

Several companies are promoting their initiatives to teach coding to people of all ages. 

Bill Gates said, “If your business is not on the internet, then your business will be out of business.” 

In this age of digitalization, having basic knowledge of coding helps you no matter where you plan on going in the workforce. 

 

Palak Barmaiya is a journalism major  and can be reached at [email protected].