What is Coding: Guide for Parents and Students

A simple guide for students and parents.

We all use mobile phones every day—opening apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Maps, or Instagram without even thinking twice. But have you ever wondered: Who creates these apps? How do they actually work?

Behind every app, website, or game you use, there is something called code—a set of instructions written by people. These people are often called software engineers, and their job is to tell computers exactly what to do, step by step.

But the best part is you don’t have to be a software engineer to write code. Today, even school students are learning to code and build their own mini apps, games, and tools. Coding is not just for tech experts—it’s a skill anyone can learn, just like reading or maths.

In this article, let's explore what coding actually is and what it looks like.

Think of a computer as a very obedient helper. It will do exactly what you say—but only if you speak its language.

Just like you tell your child: “Go to the kitchen, take a glass, fill it with water, and bring it to me.” A computer also needs clear, step-by-step instructions.

These instructions, which we call code are written in a language that computer understands. Just like humans talk in Hindi, English, Tamil or Marathi. Computers talk using Python, Java or C++. There are thousands of programming languages but you can choose to learn any one of them.

Now that you understand what coding is lets see how does it look.

Let’s look at a very basic code written in Python (a beginner-friendly programming language):

print("Hello, world!")

What does this do?

• This line tells the computer to show the message: 👉 Hello, world!
• It’s like saying: “Hey computer, please display this sentence on the screen.”

Want to do more? Let’s add two numbers using code:

a=5
b = 3

sum = a + b

print(sum)

Now how does this code work?

• We told the computer: a is 5, b is 3.
• Next we write code to add them and store in 'sum'.
• After the sum is calculated by the computer print command is written to display the answer.
• And the computer will display: 8

Now that we know what coding is and what a programming language does, you might be wondering - where do we actually write this code?

We write code in compilers or interpreters. Just like you install WhatsApp on your phone to chat with friends, a compiler or interpreter is an application installed on your computer to write code in a chosen programming language like Python.

In India, many people still think coding is something only software engineers need to learn. But today, coding is becoming a basic skill, just like reading, writing or learning maths and science.

Even big companies like Google, Microsoft, and TCS encourage coding at the school level.

And don’t worry, it’s not about turning every child into a Software Engineer. It’s about helping them understand the technology they use every day and preparing them for a future where digital skills are just as important as academic ones.

Just like learning English or Hindi helps us communicate with people, coding helps us communicate with technology.

With coding, children can:

• Build mobile apps and websites
• Make their own games
• And control robots!

More than that, coding improves:

• Logical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Creativity

Coding is not about computers replacing humans. It’s about humans teaching computers to do smart things—from solving problems to building tools.

At Wirecraft Labs, we help children learn to code in a fun, practical way.

No pressure. No jargon. Just simple tools, real-world projects, and the joy of building something on your own.

Let’s prepare our children not just to use technology—but to create it.

Explore coding with us. The future is waiting!