1 An Introduction To Coding

Computer coding or programming for beginners utilizes high-level computer

programming languages, such as Python, JavaScript, Visual Basic, and C++. This is in
contrast to machine level programming which is much more complex. High-level
programming languages are a lot easier to learn and understand.

High-level computer programming languages have similar syntax, semantics, and terms
as natural languages. For example, statements that contain the English words 'print', ‘if’,
'input', and 'while' are common in Python programming statements.

Machine level languages use machine-specific syntaxes, codes, and binary numbers. This
illustration shows the difference between high-level languages and machine code.

What is coding?
Coding or computer programming involves creating step-by-step instructions that have a
logical structure. Inputting these instructions means a computer can execute a program, or
a compiled set of programs, called software applications.

When you write a computer program using a high-level language like Python, you are
instructing a computer what to do for a specific purpose. This instruction is then
translated into machine codes and binary bits of information by the computer. Although
you can use ready-made and user-friendly applications to do certain tasks, there are many
cases when you’ll need to customize your programs or software applications, or even
develop your own.

Computer coding can be classified into four major types:

 Imperative or procedural (examples: Cobol, Fortran, C)
 Functional (examples: Haskell, Scala, Clojure)
 Logical (examples: Prolog, SQL)
 Object-oriented (examples: Java, C++, Python
3 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Coding
Advantages of Coding
We'll start by looking at the advantages of learning coding. Some of them are obvious, some
are more surprising.
1. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills
Coding encourages kids to think logically and critically. It involves breaking down complex
problems into smaller, more manageable parts—a skill applicable not only in programming
but in everyday life. As children tackle coding challenges, they develop problem-solving
abilities that can benefit them across various disciplines.
2. Fostering Creativity
Contrary to popular belief, coding is not just about numbers and syntax; it's a creative
endeavor. Kids learn to create games, stories, animations, and websites, allowing them to
express their creativity while learning valuable technical skills.
3. Future Job Opportunities
The demand for tech-savvy professionals continues to grow. Introducing kids to coding early
can give them a head start in understanding technology, potentially leading to lucrative career
opportunities in fields like software development, data science, and engineering.
4. Improved Computational Thinking
Coding teaches computational thinking—an invaluable skill that involves organizing and
analyzing data logically. It helps kids understand how computers process information and
aids in grasping complex concepts in mathematics and other subjects.
5. Boosting Confidence
Mastering coding tasks can significantly boost a child's confidence. As they overcome coding
challenges and witness their creations come to life, they develop a sense of accomplishment
and self-assurance.
Disadvantages of Coding
There are definitely a lot of advantages to teaching coding to kids, but what about the
disadvantages?
1. Potential Overemphasis on Technology
One concern is that focusing too much on coding might lead to neglecting other essential
skills. While coding is valuable, a balanced education that includes diverse subjects like
humanities, arts, and physical activities is crucial for a well-rounded development.
2. Frustration and Perseverance
Coding can be challenging, especially for beginners. Kids might face frustration when
dealing with errors or complex concepts. Teaching them to persevere through difficulties is
essential but can be a barrier for some who struggle to persist through challenges. As a
parent, it's worth finding coding programs that are engaging, forgiving, and most importantly,
fun. This will reduce the likelihood of frustration.
3. Risk of Burnout
Introducing coding at a young age may inadvertently create pressure on children to excel or
specialize early. This pressure can lead to burnout if not managed properly, affecting their
interest and passion for technology in the long run.
4. Socioeconomic Disparities
Access to coding classes or resources might not be equitable for all children. Some families
may not have the means to provide coding education, creating disparities in opportunities for
learning and advancement.
4 Python is considered a beginner-friendly language for a few reasons.

1. Python has a simple and easy-to-understand syntax. The language is designed to be

highly readable, which makes it easy for new programmers to understand the code.
This makes it a great choice for beginners who are just learning to code.
2. Python has a large and active community. This means that there are many resources
available for learning the language, such as tutorials, documentation, and forums.
Additionally, there are many libraries and frameworks available, which can make it
easier for beginners to build projects and solve problems.
3. Python is versatile. Python can be used for a variety of tasks such as web
development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing. This
means that once you learn Python, you can apply it to many different areas of
computing, giving more flexibility to the learners.
4. Python is widely used in the industry. Python is used in many real-world
applications, such as Google, Spotify, and Instagram. This means that there are
many job opportunities available for Python programmers and beginners can
quickly start building skills that are in high-demand.
Overall, Python's simplicity, versatility, wide usage and supportive community make it an
excellent choice for beginners who are just learning to code.
5 Sensors are indeed transducers capable to transform physical or chemical quantities
into some form of electric signal that can be somehow measured by a CPU.

For instance a light sensor normally is a light sensing device, for instance a photodiode, that
generates a voltage signal that can be read from a microprocessor using some form of Analog
to Digital converter. (A/D).

Another example is temperature sensors that, for instance in the PT100 type, transform the
temperature change into electrical resistance change that can be measured using a bridge that
ends into a voltage signal, like before.

One more example is Geiger tubes that measure ionizing radiation. In this case measurement
is carried out counting the pulses, so the sensor generates directly a digital signal that, to
some extent, can be counted using a hardware or software counter.

Control System
A Control system is a system or a set of devices that manages command and directs the
behavior of other devices or systems. It works on the principle of the input-process-output
cycle. since the output is controlled by varying input. They are widely used in electronics,
automation, and engineering.
It is made up of three components mainly: sensor, controller, and actuator. Here the
sensor senses physical characteristics such as pressure, and temperature and converts them
into an electrical signal and it generates an output signal which is used to control the
actuator.

Examples of Control Systems

Control systems has various examples and it is widely used in day to day applications.
Some examples are listed below:
 Elevators – In order to control or to regulate acceleration and braking
mechanisms, Control systems are used.
 Smart Coffee Machine – For to control water temperature, coffee strength, and brewing
rate control systems are used and all these properties are balanced to give desired flavor.
 Home Security and Automation – For to control and monitor wide aspects of home
security such as cameras, sensors, motion detectors.
 Traffic light control systems – When an input processes through control system the
output of three lights turned ON for some particular duration of time. Here input signal
determines the output and It works based on timely basis.
 6 Different Programming Language

Generally 5 major types of programming languages

1. Procedural programming languages

A procedural language follows a sequence of statements or commands in order to achieve a

desired output. Each series of steps is called a procedure, and a program written in one of
these languages will have one or more procedures within it. Common examples of procedural
languages include:
 C and C++
 Java
 Pascal
 BASIC

2. Functional programming languages

Rather than focusing on the execution of statements, functional languages focus on the output
of mathematical functions and evaluations. Each function–a reusable module of code–
performs a specific task and returns a result. The result will vary depending on what data you
input into the function. Some popular functional programming languages include:
 Scala
 Erlang
 Haskell
 Elixir
 F#

3. Object-oriented programming languages (OOP)

This type of language treats a program as a group of objects composed of data and program
elements, known as attributes and methods. Objects can be reused within a program or in other
programs. This makes it a popular language type for complex programs, as code is easier to
reuse and scale. Some common object-oriented languages include:
 Java
 Python
 PHP
 C++
 Ruby
4. Scripting languages

Programmers use scripting languages to automate repetitive tasks, manage dynamic web
content, or support processes in larger applications. Some common scripting languages
include:
 PHP
 Ruby
 Python
 bash
 Perl
 Node.js
 Linux operating system is the primary choice for those who prefer open-source software [1].
Familiarizing yourself with Linux can be useful for someone who is interested in learning
scripting languages.
5. Logic programming languages

Instead of telling a computer what to do, a logic programming language expresses a series of
facts and rules to instruct the computer on how to make decisions. Some examples of logic
languages include:
 Prolog
 Absys
 Datalog
 Alma-0