Coding, also called programming, is the process of writing instructions that tell a computer exactly what to do. Computers don't understand human language directly, so programmers write code in special programming languages, such as Python, JavaScript, or Scratch, that can be translated into instructions a computer's processor can execute.
Every piece of software, from mobile apps to video games to the websites you visit, is built using code written by programmers. Even simple programs are made up of precise, step-by-step instructions, since computers can only do exactly what they're told, in exactly the order they're told it.
Learning to code teaches valuable problem-solving skills beyond just programming, including how to break a big problem into smaller, manageable steps, spot patterns, and think logically about cause and effect — skills that are useful in nearly any subject or career.