Coding vs Programming | Is there any difference?

Coding and programming, people always say the two together, but is there a difference between the two? To answer the question, we are going to figure out what coding is and what programming is first. If you are interested too, keep reading!

1. What is Coding?

We can define coding as the act of translating instructions for a computer from human language to a language a machine can understand. This code tells the computer how to behave and what actions to perform. Coding is basically the act of translating codes from a human language to a machine-based language. It can also be called a subset of programming since it is the foundation of programming.

If you want to become a coder, you'll need to have some basic knowledge about programming language(s). Programming languages means languages like Python, Java, Go, PHP, and JavaScript. A coder has to be multilingual and has to write codes in different programming languages such as Java, C, Python, R based on the requirement. With the help of codes, you are providing instructions and information to the computer.

Three common components of most programming languages:
- Code syntax and rules that are to be followed when writing a code
- Compiler for converting code into the respective machine code
- Code execution and returning the results

A computer only understands the machine code, written in binary language. A coder’s task is to transform the requirements given to him into a language understandable by the machine. Also, some programmers translate logic into machine-understandable codes with a language. Coding used for implementing the fundamentals of computer programming in one way is also programming. The difference is that programming is used in a broader sense and deals with writing codes in multiple languages.

2. What is Programming?

Programming is the process of creating the instructions that will tell the computer how to perform a particular task given to it. When we talk about programming, think of something like a remote control for your TV – it will wait for you to give it instructions by pressing different buttons which then tell the TV to perform a specific task (like changing the channel, increasing the volume, and so on).

Programming is a bigger aspect than coding, which is one of the parts of it. It is the process of developing an executable software program that is implemented without any errors. It is the programmer’s job to analyze a problem in the code and provide solutions.

Application creation requires several necessary steps, including planning, designing, testing, deployment, and maintenance. So, programming deals with not only coding but also analysis and implementing algorithms, understanding data structures, and mitigating issues. Altogether, the whole process is called programming.

A pseudocode is a good approach for explaining the algorithm to the coder. Coding is an essential part of programming, but a programmer requires a lot more knowledge, experience, and additional skills than coding.

A programmer creates complex programs, reads them, and executed them by the machine providing a complete set of instructions for computers to perform. It takes years to become a professional programmer. If you can build a program and ensure that it doesn’t have errors, you can consider that you have leveled up in your career as a successful programmer.

There is one simple example that can clearly explain programming. For instance, you can program the clock to wake you up at 6 AM. Also, you can program the AC to work on the temperature that you have chosen with the remote button that has codes at the backend to work on the given set of instructions by the user.

We hope by now, we could make you understand that programming is incomplete without coding but not necessarily. Further, let’s take a closer look at the differences between the two.

3. Difference between Coding and Programming

While coding and programming seem to be synonymous at the front, they are altogether different from each other. While coding means writing codes from one language to another, programming means programming a machine with a given set of instructions to run.

A coder’s task is to translate logic into language the machine can understand, whereas a programmer has to do more than just write the codes. Let’s have a look at some of the differentiating points between these two topics to get a clear picture:

The following points clear your confusion on what is the difference between coding and programming.

1. Basic Difference

A fundamental difference between a coder and a programmer is that coding is part of programming, whereas programming is the procedure of creating a program. Coding is a part of programming that deals with converting the language into binary commands for the machine. Programming is the process of creating a program that follows certain standards and performs a certain task.

Coding is known as a chapter in programming, so coding is a subset of programming. Just like each word, character, and sentence makes a book, the lines of code build a program. Programming is all about developing an outline, whereas coding is writing the parts that form the book.

2. Scope

Coding is about translating the requirement logic into machine-understandable code. In contrast, programming demands analysis and conceptualization of different aspects of any program and finding solutions to any issues that may occur during the process. It also involves critical parameters such as debugging, compiling, testing, and implementation.

3. Tools

Coding doesn’t require so many software tools to be accomplished. Just a simple text editor like WordPad or Notepad would suffice.

Programming requires document review and performing analysis along with coding that requires extra tools. The tools needed in the process are code analysis tools, code generators, databases, testing frameworks, linkers, compilers, code editors, GUI designers, assemblers, debuggers, and performance analysis tools.

A programmer is expected to know the advanced concepts of Git and Github, Database tools, analytical tools such as Apache Spark, presentation tools, and cloud tools since it has a broader scope.

A prominent difference between coders and programmers is what tools they use. You will require some additional tools for programming. Being a programmer, you need to perform planning, document reviews, design formulation, etc. Tools like debuggers, advanced code editors, assemblers, modeling algorithms, modeling frameworks, analysis tools, and more help you with programming. Moreover, you must have enough experience using these tools and knowledge of how developers use them to build apps.

4. Skills

Coders are needed to have basic knowledge of programming languages. Programming would require creating algorithms, math models, data processing, and data structure know-how. A programmer needs a specialized degree and experience to write logic, analyze, design, and write complex programs. He also applies his imagination and analytical skills to solve specific problems. He is also expected to understand and create complex data structures and algorithms.

The coder’s job is to follow the programmer’s technical specifications to write code and ensure that the final outcome meets the requirements.

Skill is the key difference between coding and programming because without skill both are incomplete. Coders possess fundamental knowledge of a programming language. After you know how to code in a language, it becomes easier to learn other programming languages. Coders’ key purpose is to write the code that informs the machine what to do. Coders primarily focus on the implementation of the programmer’s ideas. Thus, it needs more in-depth knowledge of a program to become a programmer than to become a coder.

On the other hand, programmers require more knowledge to begin with programming. They must know how to develop and work with algorithms, design websites, debug their code, manage projects, and use different programming languages. Programmers are also expected to have analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills when they are developing complex systems.

Another difference between coding and programming is that programming demands a higher level of thinking. Programming entails making analytical decisions, modifications based on recent updates, abstract solutions, and expecting problems before they happen. All these need higher-level thinking tasks. Coding needs you to translate the actions into code.

5. Outcomses

While coding, the expected outcome is the result of applying a set of instructions given to a computer with a piece of code. On the other hand, after programming, the obtained outcome is a whole application, a software product, or a website.

Skill is the key difference between coding and programming because without skill both are incomplete. Coders possess fundamental knowledge of a programming language. After you know how to code in a language, it becomes easier to learn other programming languages. Coders’ key purpose is to write the code that informs the machine what to do. Coders primarily focus on the implementation of the programmer’s ideas. Thus, it needs more in-depth knowledge of a program to become a programmer than to become a coder.

On the other hand, programmers require more knowledge to begin with programming. They must know how to develop and work with algorithms, design websites, debug their code, manage projects, and use different programming languages. Programmers are also expected to have analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills when they are developing complex systems.

Another difference between coding and programming is that programming demands a higher level of thinking. Programming entails making analytical decisions, modifications based on recent updates, abstract solutions, and expecting problems before they happen. All these need higher-level thinking tasks. Coding needs you to translate the actions into code.

6. Ease of learning:

The difference between programming and coding is prominently based on the ease of learning. Learning to code is inevitable in the first place. Some coders are self-taught; they learn gradually as they practice coding, going through examples of working codes, and taking inspiration from other coders.

Coding classes both offline and online are available that help students learn in-depth the coding languages’ structures. These classes familiarize the students with high-level coding and computing. The effectiveness of these classes depends on your ability to grasp them.

Certain programming languages are easier to learn than others. Some coders work in the assembly language which is one of the lowest level languages featuring the most abstract representation. It is designed to directly communicate with the computer hardware. On the other hand, higher-level programming languages like Python help you develop programs that operate on screen, similar to a word processor or web browser.

You may find it easier to learn higher-level languages since their outcomes are easy to interpret and usually, their language is more natural. Visual languages, for example, Scratch, impart coding concepts through shapes that fit together. They help beginners to understand the structure and gradually learn professional coding languages.

The answer to the title question is programming and coding are not the same because they both differ in various aspects and one of them is the ease of learning.

How Coding and Programming Work Together

Let's begin by providing a real scenario where both coding and programming will be required to work closely to produce a complete working app.

Imagine you have been asked to create an app that will help monitor or keep track of your daily routine or monitor your daily expenses. By using the concepts of the two worlds this is how you will accomplish the task.

You will need a programmer, who will be able to:
- Plan the structure of the app (with the help of tools like Trello)
- Write down the main features of the app, what users are expected to use it for, etc
- Design the app (by using tools like Figma or Adobexd)

After completing these steps, the coder's role comes into play. They take the ideas the programmer creates and transform them into a machine-readable form by writing code to perform the tasks specified. After the magical process of coding, the programmer comes back into play.

The programmer will then assess the code and check for errors, run tests, and check that everything is working correctly and that the code gives the expected result. With all these checks, the application is now ready for deployment and maintenance – which remains in the hands of the programmer.

This simple example explains how the two skills can be used together for productivity.

And just a final point: a "coder" and a "programmer" aren't always two separate people. They can be one and the same person who performs all these tasks.

Coding Robots That Can Help Beginners Learn Programming

1. mBot Neo with Coding Boxes

mBot Neo is one of the simplest robot toys to teach the top coding languages for kids to learn. It is a beginner-friendly robot. It develops critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and persistence. The best thing is that beginners can code the robot and interact with it. You can get started with Scratch or block-based coding. After that, they can switch to Python3 or Micro-python to dive into real code.mBot Neo can teach AI, robotics, IoT, and data science.

The coding box comes in four options to suit various learning interests. Each box contains different projects according to the subject, along with illustrated and simple guidelines and tutorials that kids can follow easily and implement on the robot. Kids learn more about coding and master their coding skills in modern and highly demanded subjects.

2. mBot Ultimate

Ultimate by Makeblock is an advanced programmable robot kit that is more suitable for kids aged 14-16 years old who have some basic knowledge of coding and robotics. The kit consists of over 550 mechanical parts and provides a comprehensive range of features. The kit also includes 10 custom robots that genuinely make the possibilities for maker combinations infinite—everything a kid needs to make their ideas come alive. Read: Top 10 Programmable Robot Kits for Adults

3. mBot Ranger

mBot Ranger has 3 robot building forms to explore: a robot tank, a self-balancing robot, and a racing car, which can conquer all terrains like flat roads, grassland, gravel, and sandy beach and supports Scratch and Arduino C programming. You can learn coding from beginner to expert. mBot Ranger can be your coding learning assistant at home or even outside!

4. mBot Mega

mBot Mega is an omnidirectional remote control car that supports 360° rotation and side drifting which is perfectly matched with Scratch. It is an ideal STEM kit for kids to learn electronics, engineering, and coding. You can explore learning coding fun in mBot Mega's multiple functions: obstacle avoidance, line following, and remote control.