Coding is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand skills, especially as it becomes relevant for an increasing number of career paths and industries. But for jobs in tech, it’s always been important.

Have you thought about learning to code, but you’re not sure where to start? If you’re a complete beginner, the prospect of diving in headfirst can seem overwhelming.

We’ll start with the basics: what coding is, what it means to be a coder, and how to become one, even if you’ve never touched a piece of code before. Let’s get started.

What is Coding Exactly?

Coding involves writing and working with programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or Ruby on Rails. Writing these languages enables coders to communicate with computers and instruct them on certain tasks.

At the most basic level, coders can:

• Write code that computers or other machines can understand
• Have and use basic working knowledge of various programming languages (without necessarily having knowledge of software tools)
• Complete simple projects
• Use simple tools and syntax

Does that seem a little too… simple? You might be thinking of programming. Programming, like coding, involves passing information and instructions to a computer in a language it can understand. Programming relies on coding, but it takes it a number of steps further. You can think of programming as a complete task, of which coding is only one phase.

Programming involves:

• Creating the machine that can digest and understand code
• Having deep working knowledge of various programming languages and the tools to implement them
• More advanced projects, tools, and syntax

It’s possible to learn how to code and become a coder without going on to become a programmer. It’s impossible, however, to become a programmer without first being a coder.

But you don’t necessarily need all of the skills of a programmer to still make use of knowing how to code in your professional life. There are a number of jobs and positions that value coding skills, even at a basic level.

Read More: Programming 101: Learning How to Code for Beginners

What Jobs Can I Get as a Coder?

Depending on the role you’re after, coding” might mean different things