Computers do not understand human languages; instead, when a person wants to give a computer instructions for performing a particular task, they need to use code. Coding is the process of writing the code that will tell a computer what to do and how to do it. Code is a critical part of almost all the digital technology that people use today, including things like phone apps, websites, computer programs, medical technologies, massive data science projects, and all manner of commerce and investing. In fact, virtually every part of our society interacts with computers in one way or another, making coding skills indispensable tools for anyone hoping to work with technology.
There are many different computer codes. Some common ones are HTML, JavaScript, C++, and Python. Each coding language has a specific purpose. For instance, JavaScript is a language that is often used for interactive webpages, while Python is commonly used in back-end development. SQL is another popular coding language, and it is used to work with databases. The TIOBE Programming Community Index ranks coding languages by popularity. It finds that the top five languages are currently: Python, C, C++, Java, and C#. Stack Overflow also rates coding languages, and it reports that the most popular are JavaScript, HTML and CSS, Python, SQL, and TypeScript.
Coding Careers
Since computer programs are so common and are involved in so many different aspects of our daily lives, virtually every industry is interested in hiring skilled coders who can design their webpages, run their databases and servers, and provide them with the analytic support they need to succeed in their endeavors. Even nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and government agencies use computer programming experts to make their work easier and more efficient in achieving their stated goals.
As the digital economy continues its explosive growth with no signs of stopping, professionals who have graduated from coding bootcamps have a wide variety of coding-related careers they can access. One of the most exciting aspects of these careers is that they can be found practically anywhere; while there may be more offerings available in Silicon Valley or other major tech hubs, companies in every city are looking to increase their digital footprint or use coding to enhance their operations. As a result, learning coding skills is an incredibly valuable proposition for professionals across the country.
Web Development
Most organizations understand that to be successful, they need a strong and consistent web presence. Whether this is to make finding information about their services easier or to advertise their products more effectively, businesses and organizations need assistance from Web Developers who know how to program and maintain webpages. Web Developers are responsible for programming the webpages that they are hired to work on, and they may be tasked with handling the creative processes that go into designing a web application. Some Web Developers work purely on front-end or back-end development, while others will find work as Full Stack Developers employed by companies to work on all aspects of their web applications.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS) collects and analyzes statistics about the U.S. job market. It finds that Web developers and Digital Designers earn an average of $80,000 per year. It predicts that over the next ten years, these professions will see 16 percent job growth, which is much faster than the average job growth rate of only 3 percent. The BLS explains that there are two main reasons for this prediction: “Employment of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow as ecommerce continues to expand…. In addition, the continued use of mobile devices to search the web is expected to generate demand for web developers and digital designers to create websites and interfaces that work on mobile devices with many different screen sizes.” The agency finds that the states with the highest levels of employment for Web Developers are California, New York, Washington, and Texas. Washington, Delaware, the District of Columbia, California, and Maryland pay the highest wages.
Data Science
Many programmers will find work in data science fields, working as Data Analysts, Data Scientists, or specialized analysts like Financial Analysts. These professionals use programming languages such as Python to build databases and write programs that can be used to collect, organize, and analyze large amounts of data. This work is invaluable for companies with huge consumer bases, and for government and healthcare services that need to operate at peak efficiency. Learning to organize and manipulate financial data is also an important part of an investment strategy (personal or corporate). Experienced programmers can even start working on elaborate machine learning projects on the cutting edge of data science.
The BLS reports that Data Scientists earn more than $100,000 per year in the United States and predicts 35 percent job growth over the next ten years. California, New York, and Texas employ the most Data Scientists, according to the agency. California and Washington are the highest-paying states.
Software Engineering
Finally, students who learn several advanced coding skills can eventually qualify for positions as Software Engineers. Software refers to the applications used by computers to execute important functions, and it is utilized in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. As the Internet of Things becomes increasingly ubiquitous and more and more of our devices are connected directly to the internet, Software Engineers will be increasingly necessary for developing, maintaining, and updating the vital software applications essential for so many of our everyday functions.
Like other coding-related jobs, software development has a strong future job outlook, according to the BLS. The agency finds that Software Developers earn close to $125,000 per year and are expected to see 25 percent job growth over the next ten years. According to the BLS, the states employing the most Software Developers are California, Texas, New York, and Washington. California and Washington pay the most on average.
How Does Coding Differ from Programming?
People often use the terms “coding” and “programming” interchangeably, but, while programming and coding are closely related, they are not exactly the same. Coding is the process of writing code to communicate with a computer, while programming is the process of using code, in addition to a wide range of other skills, to create computer programs. Some of the other things that a programmer needs to do in addition to writing code are planning and designing the structure of the program they are creating, testing it, debugging it, and implementing it.
What Will You Learn in a Coding Bootcamp?
For anyone interested in learning more about coding, coding bootcamps are the fastest way to get into the field. In less time than college or technical programs, these immersive programs are intended to make you employable in web development, data science, or app development. Some coding bootcamps teach web development as a whole, also called full-stack development. Other bootcamps will focus on only front-end web development or back-end web development. Then, there are also more specialized bootcamps like app development bootcamps.
Almost all coding bootcamps teach students the basics of writing and reading code. All computer applications run off code, which is written into a series of commands that the computer interprets and executes. Coding languages are called languages because they are how we speak to computers and because they have their own grammar and syntax, and expert programmers will learn how to read and write in these languages as if they were human languages. There are hundreds of different programming languages that you can learn, and coding bootcamps tend to emphasize one or a select few languages. Students learn the basics of writing code, sight-reading a program to understand what it will do when a computer reads it, and debugging code (the process of searching for errors in computer programs and correcting those errors in the code).
In addition, almost all coding bootcamps teach students how to use important development tools that improve their efficiency as programmers. For example, most classes teach students how to use code editing applications like Visual Studio Code. These applications are designed to make coding easier and faster by offering programmers a range of development tools that can streamline or automate the process of writing code. Students may also learn to use tools like Git to track version changes, and Emmet to write prefab code snippets for repeated use.
Web Development Bootcamps
The most obvious way most people interact with computer programming is by browsing the internet. Every second, new webpages are launched, and businesses have been aware of the importance of a strong web presence for decades. Learning how to program webpages is a great way to learn how to program since the languages are accessible and the skills you learn are applicable to various career paths. Web development skills come in two forms: front-end web development (which handles the client-facing elements of a webpage that a user sees and interacts with) and back-end web development (programming that takes care of the infrastructure that the user doesn’t see such as databases and server connections). These two skills can be combined into full-stack web development, which handles both.
Front-end web development bootcamps tend to cover HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML and CSS are the basic programming languages that allow web browsers to read code and display text and images for viewers. JavaScript is used to add interactive functionalities to a webpage, and it is the backbone of most modern web applications and infrastructure. Back-end development bootcamps vary in the languages they teach, since back-end web development isn’t as clustered around a small handful of languages. Many teach database languages like SQL and Python, while others teach JavaScript frameworks like Node.js and React. Some more intensive bootcamps teach full-stack web development.
Data Science Bootcamps
Every day, humans produce billions of bytes of data. In order to make sense of all of this data, computer programs are written to collect, organize, catalog, and interpret huge amounts of data so that businesses, governments, nonprofits, and other invested stakeholders can make sense of the data they are collecting. This is an important part of almost all major business projects undertaken today, so computer programmers who know their way around a database are in high demand.
Data science bootcamps tend to focus on teaching students how to use programming languages like Python and SQL for building, organizing, and querying databases. Students learn how data is collected and how to write code to organize, interpret, and analyze it. Students may also learn how to use data visualization tools like Tableau to turn raw data into rhetorically persuasive charts, graphs, and maps. All these skills come together to position students for career success as Data Scientists and Data Analysts.
Some more advanced data science bootcamps introduce students to machine learning and artificial intelligence programs. These are cutting-edge computer applications that can read and interpret data and “learn” from what they are reading, allowing them to analyze data and make predictions without needing the aid of a human operator. These programs are vital for building content algorithms, making informed financial forecasts, and building AI programs like chatbots. Students interested in entering this growing and exciting field of computer science may want to consider enrolling in a specialist bootcamp.
FinTech Bootcamps
Some coding bootcamps aim to teach field-specific programming skills such as a bootcamp emphasizing Financial Technology (or FinTech). These courses teach students how to use programming languages like Python for tracking, forecasting, and making informed decisions based on large amounts of financial data. Anyone looking to make money in the stock market or a futures market knows how quickly prices shift and valuations change. Using tools built with Python, investors can take some of the guesswork out of their investment decisions. Learning FinTech skills is a great way to start investing on your own or to prepare for a career as a Financial Advisor or an Investment Analyst. FinTech bootcamps are a great place to start learning these skills since even beginner programmers can benefit from learning focused coding skills.
Is It Worth It to Attend a Coding Bootcamp?
Students interested in learning computer programming have many different options available to them. Coding bootcamps are one incredibly popular option for students looking to shift into a new career path or pick up a new set of skills in an accelerated time period. There are several unique benefits associated with this class format, and as a result, many bootcamp graduates report that the class was definitely worth it for them.
Beginner Friendly
One of the major advantages to learning how to code at a programming bootcamp is that bootcamps tend to be geared towards beginners. Since these courses aim to offer comprehensive skills training, they tend to assume that students are entering with little to no prior programming experience, so students learn the basics of computer programming in an accelerated environment, which can be a great way to introduce yourself to the process of reading and writing code. Since these courses have minimal prerequisites, they are great ways to learn the specific programming skills you want to learn, rather than needing to dedicate your time to enrolling in an introductory coding course.
Accelerated Training
Another major advantage to enrolling in a bootcamp is that the training occurs at a rapidly accelerated pace relative to other kinds of immersive training programs. While immersive bootcamps can last a few months, they are often compared to four-year college degree programs in terms of the depth of training and the skills taught. This accelerated learning schedule ensures that students learn the skills they need to succeed, at a pace that suits their long-term goals. Bootcamps offer an ideal place for students to receive focused coding training without needing to enroll in a two-year or four-year program.
Build Long-Term Earning Potential
One of the major reasons that students enroll in bootcamps is to increase their long-term earning potential. According to Course Report, the majority of bootcamp graduates (about 83%) found employment within six months of graduating and saw a median salary increase of over 50 percent. According to Course Report’s data, “the average coding bootcamp graduate earns $70,698, ” amounting to a $24,000 increase in yearly earnings over students who haven’t received this kind of dedicated training. Bootcamps are designed to help students build marketable, in-demand career skills to help them succeed in the job market and find work immediately after graduation. If you are serious about learning the skills to start a new career, you should consider exploring options for career-focused coding bootcamps.
One-On-One Career Services
Another reason to enroll in a bootcamp is to take advantage of the career development services many bootcamps provide. Since these courses aim to equip students with the skills they need to succeed on a different career path, many bootcamps build career assistance programs into their curriculum. For example, many bootcamps include seminars in which students work on building their job portfolio of sample coding projects throughout the course. Some bootcamps even provide students with one-on-one career mentoring sessions to get personalized advice and assistance from experts in the field.
Versatile Training Options
Another reason to consider enrolling in a coding bootcamp to learn computer programming is that they tend to have the most versatile course offerings available without sacrificing the quality of your training. Many service providers offer full-time and part-time training options for their coding bootcamps. An increasing number of coding bootcamps are turning to online instruction to help reach the maximum number of students. Whether you plan to learn full-time in a classroom environment or you want to find a bootcamp you can enroll in that offers courses on the weekend, you will be able to find a comprehensive training program that fits your learning style and needs.
Find the Perfect Coding Bootcamp for You
Today, there is arguably no skill more important to learn than coding. As the digital economy transforms virtually every aspect of society, coding has emerged as one of the most in-demand skills professionals can have. Once a specialized field reserved for computer scientists, coding is now more accessible than ever, meaning that professionals from any industry can acquire basic coding skills to enhance their resume or transition into a programming career. In doing so, professionals can rest assured that these skills will remain in extremely high demand for years to come. Whether you are interested in web development, software engineering, or data science, learning coding can be the spark you need to develop a new portfolio or transition into a programming-focused career.
In-Person Coding Bootcamps
In-person bootcamps are a popular way to learn coding. The in-person format provides a high level of engagement and interactivity, which is one reason for its popularity. Some students also find it easier to learn new concepts in this face-to-face setting, where they can get immediate feedback, and the instructor can easily see when additional help is needed. Another benefit of the in-person format is that students have the opportunity to interact with their classmates. This can not only enrich the learning process, but it can also lead to valuable networking opportunities. The biggest downsides to in-person bootcamps are that they are geographically limited since students have to attend in a specific location, and that the commute can be expensive or inconvenient for some people.
Live Online (Virtual) Coding Bootcamps
While in-person bootcamps may work great for some learners, they do not always offer the flexibility many students require today. For these students, virtual coding bootcamps offer unparalleled value while retaining the same high standard of educational quality students expect. In virtual bootcamps, students are able to still get live instruction and feedback, but they can attend from any location they want. They simply need to log on via computer at the scheduled class time. This format has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many students love that since they don’t have to commute to a specific location, they have access to a lot more class options.
On-Demand Coding Bootcamps
On-demand bootcamps offer even more flexibility than live online ones. With the on-demand format, instruction is pre-recorded rather than live, so students don’t have to attend at a specific time. Instead, they have the freedom to create a school schedule that fits in with the rest of their obligations, stopping and starting whenever they need to. Not only does this format allow a lot of flexibility in when students learn, but there is also flexibility in how they learn. Because instruction is asynchronous, students can pause when they need to, rewind sections that they want to hear again, and fast-forward sections that they already understand.
What Specific Coding Bootcamps Can You Take?
With dozens of learning options to master coding available today, it can be difficult for a beginner to figure out the best course option for them. To help learners make this decision, Noble Desktop has created the Classes Near Me tool, which gives aspiring coders the opportunity to search and compare coding bootcamps both available in-person in their area and live online.
Noble Desktop, a New York City-based design and coding school, offers a comprehensive Software Engineering Certificate, which takes 20 weeks of full-time study to complete and costs $10,995. Students in this course start by learning about front-end development, including HTML and CSS, JavaScript, Git, Flexbox, and Grid. The second section of the program is focused on JavaScript programming concepts including variables, loops, DOM, and data types. Students also learn React, Node.js, MongoDB, and Express.js. The last section of the course covers Python development, including Django. In addition, students work on a portfolio, and receive help preparing for interviews and polishing their resumes through one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Another bootcamp option from Noble Desktop is ||CPN509||. This course is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in data science and financial technology and covers a variety of in-demand data and finance skills. Participants learn Python fundamentals, including advanced libraries, and how to use Python for data visualizations and financial analysis. They also learn about working with SQL to query databases. This bootcamp takes four weeks of full-time study or four months of part-time study to complete. Tuition is $4,995. It also includes six one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Fullstack Academy also offers coding classes. Its Live Online Coding Bootcamp can be taken either full-time or part-time and takes 16-28 weeks to complete. Tuition is $19,910. Students start with a foundational unit, which covers the basics of programming. After that, they spend time learning front-end development concepts, including HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and the concepts of web interface and design. The next two units cover development libraries and back-end engineering, with technologies such as React and Redux. The final part of the course is focused on full-stack development. Students also design and build an app for their capstone project, and pitch an app idea to the class.
Another bootcamp option is the Software Development Bootcamp Online Full-Time offered by Coding Dojo. This course is appropriate for both beginners and more advanced students. Students begin with programming basics, and web fundamentals such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, user interfaces, and website animation. There is a unit on Python full-stack development, which includes building a mini ecommerce website and a data web scraper. Participants also learn JavaScript, including building a mini social media website, and Java, where they set up a music playlist app. The entire course takes 16 weeks to complete and costs $16,995.
Tech Elevator also runs a Coding Bootcamp. Tuition is $16,500, and the bootcamp is a 13-week course. Students learn programming foundations, and back-end programming, including SQL. They also learn how to build web applications with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The course also includes a full-stack development project and career coaching. Each student works with a personal career coach who helps them with resumes, mock interviews, and employer introductions.
Los Angeles-based LearningFuze offers an Online Full-Time Coding Bootcamp in a live online format. This 14-week course costs $19,500. It covers a wide range of coding skills, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, Command Line, React.js, Node.js, and PostgreSQL. There are daily live lectures, and team exercises with other students. Participants also work on numerous applications that they can include in their portfolios. In addition, students receive career services both during and after the program, including mock interviews and help with their resumes.
Northwestern Bootcamps is based in Chicago but also offers live online classes. The Northwestern Coding Bootcamp is a 12-week full-time program that covers all the skills needed for full-stack development. Skills include HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, Bootstrap, Node.js, Git, and MySQL. In addition, students receive career coaching including unlimited feedback on professional materials, interview prep, and job referrals. There is also a part-time 24-week program. Tuition is $11,995.
Coding Classes
While coding bootcamps are a great option for students looking for a fully immersive learning option, they may be too much of a time commitment for learners looking to brush up on their skills or learn a new one. For these learners, shorter in-person and virtual coding classes offer valuable learning experiences without the high time demands of a coding bootcamp. Many of the providers that offer comprehensive bootcamps also offer single-subject coding classes, making it easy to consider these offerings alongside a more intensive educational option.
Noble Desktop’s coding class offerings include single-topic classes as well as comprehensive bootcamps. Select examples of Noble Desktop’s classes, which are available live online, include Web Development with HTML and CSS, which offers an introduction to HTML and CSS, and JavaScript for Front-End, which covers the fundamentals of JavaScript.
Choosing a Coding Bootcamp
There are several different factors that learners should consider in choosing the right coding bootcamp for them. Among the most fundamental differences between coding bootcamps are the time and cost commitments involved; some bootcamps are more affordable but only take place over a few weeks, while others offer months of intensive instruction at a higher cost. While the initial price tag of these more immersive options may seem high, many leading providers offer different financing options to help learners afford their education, making the relatively high cost of an intensive bootcamp easier to manage.
Other key factors that individuals should consider before enrolling are the flexibility of the program’s scheduling options, opportunities for one-on-one learning and mentorship, and the type of learning experiences students can expect. Some bootcamps even offer a job guarantee for learners, as well as resources to help place them in coding jobs soon after graduation. By considering all of these options together, learners can be sure that they have considered all their options in continuing on their coding learning journey.
How Long Will It Take to Learn Coding?
While answers to the question vary widely, in general, many people say that it is possible to learn some basic coding skills in three to four months, while it takes about six months to a year to develop more advanced skills. People who have strong problem-solving skills and an understanding of advanced mathematics may learn more quickly. The length of time it takes to learn also depends on what programming language you’re trying to learn. Some languages – like HTML and Python – are easier than others.
Most experts agree that the learning process will be quicker if you practice your skills regularly. Clive Thompson interviewed more than 200 programmers to get a better understanding of this skill, and also learned to code himself. He says, “You should try to do some coding every day—at least, say, a half hour. Why? Because this is just like learning Spanish or French: Fluency comes from constant use.” He explains that if you don’t practice consistently, you’re likely to set yourself back. He explains, “When I was doing a bit of coding every day, I found I could much more quickly grasp key concepts. But if I stopped for a few days or, every so often, a few weeks… it was like wiping the slate clean. I’d come back to work on a coding project and I’d have forgotten a shocking amount of basic stuff.”
How Hard is It to Learn Coding?
Most people who have already gone through the learning process say that learning to code is challenging, but achievable. A common experience is that there are a lot of ups and downs in the learning process, and as you learn, you’re likely to swing between feeling confident that you’ve solved a problem, and feeling frustrated because you can’t understand why your code isn’t working. However, one apprentice software developer explains that while these ups and downs can be frustrating, they are actually part of why coding is so rewarding. She says, “Actually, it turns out what most people enjoy about programming is experiencing these small struggles and small victories. Slowly but surely, they build up your confidence and knowledge. What gives me confidence now is looking back to what I wrote a few months ago and realizing just how much I’ve progressed.”
Most people also agree that after you have learned one or more coding languages, learning others will probably be much easier. While there are differences between every coding language, once you get an understanding of coding in general, and of how a specific coding language works, learning another coding language won’t be quite so challenging. One programmer likens it to learning to drive a specific car, and then trying to drive another. He says, “If you learn how to drive one particular car, it kinda helps you understand how cars work in general. So you could hop on any other car and drive. Yes, there will be differences but the basics are the same.”
What Should You Consider Learning Alongside Coding?
If you’re learning to code, you’ll probably want to learn some libraries and frameworks, which are reusable code that has been created by other people and can be utilized to simplify or speed up your work. LinkedIn explains, “They can save you time and effort by simplifying complex tasks, enforcing best practices, and avoiding reinventing the wheel.” For example, Bootstrap is a popular framework that can be helpful when working on programming websites and web apps for mobile devices. jQuery is a JavaScript library that can make it easier to add JavaScript to a website. One developer comments online on the benefits of learning jQuery, stating, “jQuery is insanely easy compared to JavaScript. It gets everything I need done in 1/10th the code.”
If you’re planning to do coding for the web, it can also be helpful to learn something about web design. While coding involves the behind-the-scenes technical work necessary for a website to look and function in a particular way, web design is about the way that the site looks to visitors. In recent years, people around the world have been spending more and more time online, and as a result, the ability to design and create websites has become a sought-after skill. For example, the Pew Research Center recently reported that almost a third of adults say that they go online “almost constantly.”
While there is a stereotype of coding as something you do all alone at your computer, most coding jobs also involve a lot of interaction and collaboration with other people, so it can be helpful to brush up on your soft skills too. Soft skills are things like communication and teamwork, and they can help you maintain good relationships with clients or employers, and with fellow employees, and ensure that you can work effectively with others to achieve the things that you need to do.
In a recent LinkedIn post, the author explains, “In the tech industry, technical skills and knowledge are undoubtedly important for success. However, in today's collaborative and rapidly changing work environment, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability are equally essential. These skills can help employees navigate complex projects, work effectively with others, and adapt to new situations.”