Coding is a shorthand term for computer programming, one of the most fundamental elements of our 21st-century lifestyles. Code tells a computer what to do and how to do it. The first programming language was Plankalkul, which emerged in the 1940s, long before the advent of personal computers. By the 2000s, coding languages like Python, C, and JavaScript had come to dominate the internet. Today, most of us could hardly live the way we do without coding.
As more and more websites and content appear daily, coding proficiency has become increasingly important in the job market. The demand for coding proficiency spans virtually every industry and sector, from app development to cybersecurity, data science, and financial technology (FinTech). Many tech professionals today need to master multiple coding languages to qualify for their positions. If you want to build or expand your coding expertise, consider enrolling in a bootcamp that features coding or includes it as part of a broader development curriculum.
What Can You Do with Coding Training?
Digital literacy is among the most essential skills, and coding training starts as young as six years old for children today. Teens and young adults often approach new programming languages with some previous experience, whether from a computer science curriculum in school or a summer class for high schoolers, like the NextGen Bootcamp from Noble Desktop. Consider the following projects you can learn to do after learning to code.
- Build A Web Application—Building web applications is essential for many coding professionals, especially JavaScript developers. These skilled professionals write JavaScript code for webpages or applications and connect them to back-end services. Other tech pros who can build web apps include Front-End Developers and Full Stack Developers.
- Create A Responsive website—Web designers and Web developers create responsive websites. Many use popular website builders like Squarespace or Wix, while others have their own responsive web design services. Research other website builders, as many have differing advantages or drawbacks.
- Design An Ecommerce Platform—Tech professionals with significant coding experience can design and implement ecommerce platforms that work across various devices. Coding is responsible for making the platform easy to navigate and visually appealing.
Of course, these are just a few examples of the many things you can do if you have coding proficiency. Programming languages like Python are essential for writing back-end web application logic, while languages like C++ are a primary choice for developing operating systems, browsers, or applications. With so many coding tasks needed for projects of all types, most tech pros must learn multiple programming languages for their careers.
What Will I Learn in a Coding Class?
The skills and tools you’ll learn in a coding class depend on multiple factors, from your choice of course provider to your current skill set and career goals. While you might choose a general programming class, odds are it will cover at least one or more languages and their libraries and frameworks. Consider the following skills that might feature in your programming education.
JavaScript
As one of the most popular programming languages worldwide, JavaScript is likely to be your first stop in a coding class. Search online listings for Web Developer, Front-end Developer, or Full Stack Developer, and you will find job descriptions that emphasize JavaScript and its libraries and frameworks. About 98% of all websites reportedly use JavaScript on the front-end or client-side. Developers can use it to create interactive webpages, animate images, develop mobile apps, and much more.
Python
If your first coding class doesn’t emphasize JavaScript, it most likely emphasizes Python. Nearly tied with JavaScript for the honor of top programming language, Python is essential to data science, data analytics, and financial technology (FinTech). Python programmers can use this general-purpose language for machine learning (ML) algorithms, data analysis and visualization, and task automation.
HTML and CSS
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, while CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. The two work together for web design, and many coding-related roles find them essential. Web design and front-end web development bootcamps and certificate programs often emphasize HTML and CSS training or include them within a broader curriculum.
How Hard is It to Learn Coding?
Coding is one of the easiest ways to learn the tools and skills you need for a successful tech career. While learning a few fundamentals takes much less time and energy than gaining expertise, a coding bootcamp can take you from novice to confident programmer in a few weeks or even days. Beginner-friendly courses typically emphasize practical skills like adding animation or interactivity to webpages, working with data types, and creating a professional-level portfolio of development projects. Many such programs consist of units or modules that build on previous lessons so that by the time you finish, you will have the proficiency to qualify for an entry-level position in the field.
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Coding?
Like the degree of difficulty, the most challenging part of learning to code depends on the student. Your existing experience, previous education, skill set, and even external factors like your schedule and completing assignments on time can all affect your ability to succeed. If you enroll in a comprehensive bootcamp or certificate program to learn to code, you must commit considerable time and energy to this endeavor. Consider your current work commitments, family obligations, or other considerations before you apply. However, if you have basic digital literacy, many development bootcamps provide training from the ground up, and some provide multiple scheduling options like evening or weekend classes. If you can make a bootcamp work with your current schedule and budget, you may be more than up to the challenge.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Coding?
How long will it take? It’s a common question among coding beginners. The answer almost always depends on them. Coding bootcamps and certificates vary in length, from 1-day workshops to multi-month programs. For example, the JavaScript Programming Bootcamp from Noble Desktop is 120 hours. However, applicants must be familiar with HTML and CSS before enrolling. The preparatory Web Development with HTML & CSS course is 18 hours. On the other hand, an immersive program like the JavaScript Development Certificate—which prepares students to qualify for an entry-level position—takes 14 weeks full-time. Remember, the time it takes to get comfortable experimenting with JavaScript or Python is much less than it will take to code in a professional setting.
Should I Learn Coding in Person or Online?
The choice between learning in-person or live online via teleconferencing can be surprisingly weighty for many students. If you can find a coding class in Philadelphia that meets your requirements, you might prefer learning in-person rather than virtually. However, you might include online courses in your search, which expands your options. First, consider the three main types of training: in-person, live online, or on-demand.
In-person courses are among the most popular choices for many coding beginners. Although the COVID-19 pandemic closed the in-person option for many course providers, students in the post-pandemic environment have returned to the traditional classroom in droves. Learning face-to-face offers a unique advantage over other alternatives: the level of student engagement tends to be highest in this setting. In an in-person environment, lively student discussions can make lessons more interesting, and real-time interaction with instructors and classmates is a significant advantage. If learning in-person has a drawback, the need to commute to class provides an obstacle for a minority of students.
Live online training, though, can be just as good of an option for new coding trainees. During the pandemic, many students found they learned as well via teleconferencing as they did in a traditional in-person classroom. Some students even prefer it. Online learning offers engagement levels comparable to in-person training, and you can learn from the comfort of your home or office. Expert instructors provide real-time training and can even share the screen with permission. One of the best things about including online training in your search is that it expands your options by a significant margin. You just need a high-speed internet connection and the ability to tune out any distractions in your home.
On-demand, or asynchronous learning, is the third option and an attractive one for some coding beginners. The advantages and drawbacks of this training method are more discernible than live online or in-person coursework. On-demand training typically consists of pre-recorded videos, which offer the lowest level of engagement. The main advantage of asynchronous learning is that you can pause and restart a video anytime. This method can be a good alternative for students who work non-traditional schedules, like the second or third shift.
Can I Learn Coding Free Online?
Many course providers and organizations offer free online coding, business, and finance resources, like Noble Desktop’s YouTube channel. However, learning to code for a career requires formal training. The problem with learning to code through free videos or articles is that coding requires much more than programming languages alone. For example, a front-end web development course can include education in tools like Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap. A web design program can cover skills like WordPress and Figma alongside JavaScript. A full-stack development class typically includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web dev tools like GitHub and Visual Studio (vs. Code). Learning all these yourself may be possible but is not advisable. Consider an immersive bootcamp or certificate program to get the best results.
What Should I Learn Alongside Coding?
Although many skills can complement learning to code, some are downright necessary. Depending on your current skill set and career goals, you may already have multiple tools in your toolkit you need in a coding-centered position. Some you will learn in a coding class, some you may learn alongside your coding class, and others you may have to get on the job. If your career involves working in an office or for yourself, you usually need fundamental MS Office or Adobe skills. Consider the following tools and platforms you may need to master alongside coding.
- Git/GitHub—GitHub is an essential platform for many development and design professionals. The AI-powered online code repository makes an excellent place for design and development pros to collaborate. You can use Git for version control in GitHub or pair it with the also-popular Visual Studio (vs. Code). If your coding class doesn't include Git and GitHub in the curriculum, consider investigating the cloud-based Git repository outside of class.
- MongoDB—If you haven’t already started learning about MongoDB, you probably will soon. MongoDB is a NoSQL database product. SQL stands for Structured Query Language, a domain-specific language popular among JavaScript Developers, Full-Stack Developers, and Data Scientists, among many other professionals. Companies that use MongoDB include household-name organizations like Expedia, Adobe, and Goldman Sachs, to name a few. If you plan to work with databases in back-end programming or JavaScript-based web apps, plan to learn MongoDB.
- CMS Systems—A CMS is a content management system, and WordPress is among the most popular. An estimated 40% of all websites use WordPress, far more than any other CMS. However, that doesn’t mean you will only need to learn WordPress. Many companies require their design or development team to know other well-known content management systems like Drupal, Joomla, Squarespace, or Wix. Each CMS has advantages and drawbacks, so if you plan to learn several, consider researching them first to compare and contrast the best ones.
Industries That Use Coding
One of America’s most famous historical cities, Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center. It’s also known worldwide for its sports franchises, including its NFL Eagles, MLB Phillies, and NHL Flyers. The Philly metro area is among the nation’s largest, with a dynamic, diverse economy. Consider the following industries in Philadelphia that require tech professionals with coding proficiency at multiple levels.
Advanced Manufacturing
While manufacturing is not as essential to the Philadelphia area today as when it was dubbed the ""Workshop of the World, "" it continues to be one of the area's largest sectors. Advanced manufacturing encompasses robotics, aerospace and defense manufacturing, and chemical manufacturing. The dynamic Philadelphia manufacturing industry includes multinational organizations like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Dow Chemical, to name a few. Coding positions in this sector include Computer Programmers, Software Engineers, and C++ Developers, among many others.
Banking, Financial Services, & Insurance (BFSI)
Banking and financial technologies (FinTech) fall under the banking, financial services, and insurance supersector, or BFSI. This massive industry requires coding at multiple levels, from Computer Programmer to Entry-Level Software Developer. In Philadelphia, the need for coding expertise in BFSI is a constant. The city hosts financial services giants like Vanguard and insurance companies like Colonial Penn. Some of America's biggest banks have a significant Philadelphia presence, including JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America.
Life Sciences
Life sciences and healthcare are among the biggest industries in the country, and nowhere is that more evident than in Philadelphia. The region is a national leader in biopharmaceuticals, with many local workers employed by Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and AstraZeneca. Top roles for coding professionals in life sciences include Statistical Programmers, Web Designers, and Software Developers.
Remember that these are only some of the most prominent industries in the Greater Philadelphia region. Other industries requiring coding proficiency in Philly include IT, tourism, food processing and manufacturing, energy production and transition, semiconductors, distribution and logistics, aerospace and defense, and telecommunications. Finding a great job in Philadelphia can be easy if you gain coding expertise.
Coding Job Titles and Salaries
Salaries for coding professionals in the Philly metro area are often higher than national averages. The area’s attraction to tech workers, the strength of the local economy, and the diversity of the workforce all contribute to this trend. Because coding is so prevalent in today’s job market, you should weigh average salaries across all sectors rather than within a single industry. Consider the following coding-centered roles as a sample rather than as comprehensive.
Front-end Developer
Front-End Developers usually must know HTML for markup, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for adding interactivity or animation to websites. Many also learn a CMS like Drupal or WordPress and a CRM like HubSpot. A Front-End Developer in Philadelphia typically earns from $67,000 to $114,000, with an estimated annual pay of around $87,000. They work in industries as varied as finance, government, and information technology.
Full Stack Developer
You can qualify for a Full Stack Developer position if you learn front and back-end development. These skilled tech pros know HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and server-side tools like Python, MongoDB, and Django REST. Full Stack Developer annual salaries range from $88,000 to as high as $158,000 in Philadelphia, with an estimated total annual pay of about $118,000. When searching for Full Stack Developer job postings, look for comparable titles like Software Development Engineer, Multimedia Engineer, and Full-Stack Software Developer.
JavaScript Developer
Because JavaScript is one of the most popular computer programming languages worldwide, many development professionals find the JavaScript Developer role attractive. JavaScript Developers learn to build web applications with this popular code, incorporating frameworks and libraries like Express.js, Node.js, and React.js. They also often master other tools, including MongoDB and Visual Studio (vs. Code), and many hold IT certifications. Philadelphia JavaScript Developers earn competitive annual salaries, ranging from $100,000 to $179,000, with an estimated total pay of around $133,000.
Python Developer
Python Developers emphasize the popular object-oriented programming language in their education and careers. They usually learn HTML, CSS, Django REST, Git/GitHub, and databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Microsoft SQL Server. Python Developers earn competitive annual salaries in Philadelphia, from around $102,000 to as high as $164,000, with an estimated total pay of about $129,000. Look for titles using alternate keywords when searching for Python development roles, like Python Engineer, Django/Python Developer, or Hadoop/Spark/Python Developer.
Software Engineer
The Software Engineer is a highly-respected position, often reporting directly to a company officer like a Vice President or President. Many hold senior or leadership roles, and their training for junior roles may emphasize every aspect of the software development process—from HTML and CSS to JavaScript development to Python/Django development. Software Engineers in Philadelphia can anticipate an annual salary from around $101,000 to as high as $170,000, averaging $131,000 annually. Look for many alternate titles when searching for software engineering roles such as:
- DevOps/Senior Software Engineer
- Machine Learning (ML) Engineer
- Senior Software Development Engineer
These categories represent some of the most common coding-centered job titles, but there are many others. Consider running multiple online searches using varying keywords to better understand what positions are available in different industries.
Coding Classes Near Me
Although you can find many coding classes offered live online by teleconferencing, you might prefer to search for in-person coding bootcamps close to home if you live in or near Philadelphia. Some of the most popular bootcamps are face-to-face, while others are virtual programs. Consider the following coding classes you can take in-person in the Greater Philadelphia region or live online from anywhere with an internet connection.
Noble Desktop—Noble Desktop provides comprehensive coding education appropriate for varying careers, from Software Developer and Data Scientist to Machine Learning Engineer. Their Software Engineering Certificate program offers a beginner-friendly deep dive into front and back-end development. Topics include HTML, CSS, Python, JavaScript, and Django, to name a few. Graduates receive a digital certificate of completion and can retake the course for up to a year at no additional charge.
General Assembly—Another well-known course provider, General Assembly readies tech pros for their dream job with next-level instruction live online via teleconferencing. Their ||CPN827|| offers a beginner-friendly approach to full-stack development. The curriculum covers Agile and Scrum project management, coding languages like JavaScript and Python, third-party APIs, and exclusive career coaching from development veterans. Check course listings for more information, including tuition and financing options.
Certstaffix Training—HTML5 & Cascading Style Sheets 3 is one of the many computer science courses available from Certstaffix Training. This respected provider hosts tech training live via teleconferencing, with the option to use their computer labs for local students. The HTML5 & Cascading Style Sheets 3 class is a beginner-level program covering core concepts, syntax, and formatting. Attendees also learn how JavaScript enhances website interactivity in this four-day course.
Noble Desktop—Another popular course from Noble Desktop is their Python for Data Science Bootcamp. This beginner-friendly immersive covers Python programming basics, including variables, lists, and data types. Participants learn about arrays and data frames, then continue by analyzing and visualizing data with NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. You can save by taking the Python for Data Science Bootcamp as part of a Noble Desktop certificate program like the ||CPN411||, ||CPN395||, or ||CPN509||.
Coding Corporate Training
Suppose you are planning to instruct or upskill your current staff in coding. In that case, Noble Desktop has multiple corporate and onsite coding options, one of which is sure to suit your organization. Noble can send expert instructors to your location to take your team's coding skills to the next level. They can also set up remote classes via teleconferencing.
Would you prefer that your employees have greater flexibility in when and where they get their coding education? Noble Desktop also offers discounted vouchers for its open-enrollment group classes. Employers get a discount when they purchase these vouchers in bulk. Featured courses include the Python for Data Science Bootcamp, ||CPN834||, and Web Development with HTML & CSS. Noble can also customize a package to meet your needs.
If you want to learn about the different coding training options Noble Desktop can provide for your staff, contact a corporate sales specialist for more information and a free consultation.