You’ve seen the craze for learning code. But what exactly is coding? Coding is what makes it possible for us to create computer software, apps and websites. Your browser, your OS, the apps on your phone, Facebook, and this website – they’re all made with code.

Here’s a simple example of code, written in the Python language:

         print 'Hello, world!'            

Many coding tutorials use that command as their very first example, because it’s one of the simplest examples of code you can have – it ‘prints’ (displays) the text ‘Hello, world!’ onto the screen. Learn more about coding by checking out Codeconquest.com.

Bill Gates, creator of Microsoft and co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said "Learning to write programs stretches your mind, and helps you think better, creates a way of thinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains."

Fortunately, it has never been easier to learn how to code. There are now so many education platforms and tools to make creating software applications and mobile apps easier. Who knows, you may discover that coding is something you really enjoy and you may actually want to become a software developer! Of course, the appeal to coding probably isn't to get a job- that is far off in the future. For now learning to code will give you the understanding and abilitiy to intereact with the technology in your lives. 

"Learning to code can be a blast. Writing it can give students a feeling of empowerment and control over their lives, digitally and offline. Moreover, coding is something we can do in low-fi, high-fi, and even no-fi environments. We can remix or write our own code—or code simple things, like toys, and more complex things, like calculators. We can code web portfolios and video games—and think things through step-by-step to solve larger,

real-world problems."-Chad Sansing, School Library Journal.

Why does our school library support coding? Well, libraries should and many libraries do. Many public and school libraries throughout the United States host  Hour of Code events, code clubs, and Coder Dojos. Libraries (and librarians) are typically champions of Reading, Information Literacy, Creativity, Research, Critical Thinking, Lifelong Learning, and Technology Literacy. Learning to code falls under Technology Literacy, and thus, we librarians see fit to provide you with the access to learning tools and support so that you too may one day be able to program your own robot, raspberri pi, website or whatever you want to do whatever it is that you want it to do.