When you first start learning a new programming language, you’ll most likely begin with some reading about syntax and the different concepts used in the language. What you probably don’t do is learn cool coding facts and the interesting history — and future — of coding. But there’s much more to coding than meets the eye.
This article will reveal many interesting and entertaining facts that may surprise beginner and experienced coders, as well as coding enthusiasts. Intrigued? Keep reading!
Let’s dive into more about these programming languages:
1. There are over 700 coding languages
You’ve most likely heard of Python, JavaScript, C++, HTML, and CSS, but have you heard of Chef, the programming language where the code looks just like a recipe, complete with ingredient lists and instructions? What about CLWNPA (Compiler Language with No Pronounceable Acronym), one in which you need to add “Please” to your code or else the compiler thinks you’re being rude? And how about Velato, a language for musically inclined programmers with source code that’s actually a MIDI file?
These are just a handful of examples of the more than 700 programming languages out there today — that’s twice the number of languages spoken in the U.S. alone.
According to research by HackerRank, China has the most talented developers (with a 100% score index) followed closely by Russia (with a 99.1% score index). [23]
Countries known for coding such as US and India were further down the list with the US at position 28 with a 78% score index and India at position 31 with a 76% score index.
Here are the top countries and their scores. [23]
- China: 100%
- Russia: 99.1%
- Poland: 98%
- Switzerland: 97.9%
- Hungary: 93.9%
Chinese developers excelled at challenges involving mathematics, functional programming, and data structures while Russian developers dominated in algorithms.
How did HackerRank get its data?
HackerRank regularly posts coding challenges on their site and hundreds of thousands of developers from around the world participate. The developers are then scored and ranked based on a combination of their coding speed and accuracy.
2. The first “computer bug” was an actual bug
A moth to be exact.
In 1947, a team of computer scientists and engineers at Harvard noticed that their computer wasn’t functioning properly. They decided to take a look at the computer’s hardware and discovered a moth trapped inside.
It was then that Grace Hopper, computer scientist and inventor of the first English-language data-processing compiler, recorded “first actual case of a bug being found” in the computer’s logbook.
Of course, today we refer to “bugs” as errors or flaws in code or computer systems — and debugging code is a big part of being a computer programmer. But the very first bug recorded involved an unlucky moth stuck in a computer.
3. The first computer viruses weren’t harmful
The simplest explanation of a computer virus is code that can copy itself and move to other computers, a concept that dates back to the 1940s. But it wasn’t until 1971 that Creeper, the first computer virus, was developed. The Creeper virus was designed as a security test, and all it did was display the message: “I’M THE CREEPER. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.”
Fifteen years later, two Pakistani brothers developed the first stealth virus, Brain, which was hidden in software floppy disks. The brothers created the virus because they were tired of people making illegal copies of their medical software.
Today, when we think of computer viruses we think of their negative effects, like erasing data or corrupting a whole network of computers. But the first viruses all shared one thing in common: They weren’t designed to steal or corrupt data.
Creeper virus is widely regarded as the first virus. It was created in 1971 by Bob Thomas of BBN Technologies. The virus had no malicious intent and was created as an experiment to see whether it was possible to create a self-replicating computer program.
It was first detected in the ARPANET (the precursor of today’s internet) in the early seventies and it would display the phrase: “I’m the creeper, catch me if you can!” on computer screens. [37]
4. Coding isn’t just for the tech industry
Silicon Valley, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and other tech hubs are full of programmers, but you can find coding jobs in every state in the U.S. (and remote) and in every industry. In fact, about 70% of advertised coding jobs are outside of the tech industry. So while a coding job in the tech industry is an excellent career choice, you can expand your prospects simply by looking for jobs outside the tech industry.
This is great news for anyone who wants to switch careers to coding and development, because it means you have the option to stay in your current industry even if you want to become a computer programmer. For example, if you’re a marketer in the healthcare industry but your marketing role isn’t a good fit anymore, healthcare companies need people who know how to code — from Data Scientists to Cybersecurity Experts and everyone in between. So you can apply to companies that are making healthcare products you’re familiar with, and bring your knowledge and expertise to the development team.
5. Companies can’t hire enough coders
Even though every major industry needs people who know how to code, here’s the irony: There simply aren’t enough skilled programmers to go around. Over the last several years, the demand for coding skills has far exceeded the supply of people who know how to code. And this isn’t just a phase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that computer and information technology (IT) jobs will grow by 13% between 2020 and 2030. That’s almost twice the estimated growth rate across all other occupations.
More specifically, roles for Software Developers and Quality Assurance Analysts are projected to grow by 22%, jobs in web development and digital design are projected to see a 13% increase, and Database Administrators and Architects could see an 8% jump.
This is great news if you’re considering a career in programming or are already on your way to becoming a developer, since employers all over the world will be looking to hire people with your skillset. It also means you’ll have the opportunity to explore positions in different parts of the country, and across a wide range of industries.
Research done by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017) estimated that STEM occupations employed nearly 67 percent of people with computer-related skills (e.g. programmers, system analysts, user support).
This is not surprising because all kinds of STEM careers including engineering, mathematics, agriculture, survey/mapping, sociology, and scientific research require coding skills especially those related to data analysis.
Programming skills are also important for other careers outside STEM such as business, web design, and economics.
6. Learning how to code is slowly becoming like learning how to write.
It is turning into an inevitable task for students. Just as you write an essay with the help of essay samples on this page, you’ll soon need to write codes with different programming languages no matter the type of study you undertake. The Ministry of Education has even started to include programming as a core curriculum in schools.
7. Computer codes had an important role in ending WWII.
An English computer scientist, Alan Turing, managed to decipher Nazis’ code machine ENIGMA thanks to his cryptologic and mathematical skills. The information he and his team at Bletchley Park provided saved many lives. His contribution to modern computing was rewarded by naming the annual prize given by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) the Turing Award. This award is presented to “an individual selected for contributions of a technical nature made to the computing community.”
8.Python has overtaken French in elementary schools.
Believe it or not, Python overtook French and became the most popular language taught in elementary schools. Statistics showed that 6 out of 10 parents prefer their children to learn Python rather than French. It just goes to show that many people have appreciated the importance of Python programming. The same is true for children – about 75% of children attending primary school choose to learn a programming language rather than French.
Many young people start to learn coding nowadays, which is not surprising, as it is quite a prestigious and well-paid profession. However, many students have a hard time composing essays for university, as they are often more inclined towards mathematics and computer science than towards writing. You can use https://subjecto.com/ to browse some essay ideas and get a taste of high-quality creative writing, which will definitely boost your writing abilities.
9.Java wasn’t always Java. Its original name was Oak, which was inspired by an oak tree that grew near the office of developer James Gosling. Its second name was Greentalk, inspired by the Green project, responsible for the development of Java. Name Java appeared later. Some argue that this programming language was named after Java, a type of coffee. Others believe that name was inspired by the coffee machine, as Java language was allegedly originally created for programming of this household device. The third theory merely states that the name Java was selected due to an insurmountable amount of coffee developers drank while programming the Java language. Be that as it may, an image of a steaming cup of coffee is still among the official emblems of this popular programming language.
10. Did you know that in addition to the official programmer’s holiday – programmer’s day, celebrated on September 13, there are other dates that coders recognize as their professional holidays, namely, the day of system administrator (last Friday of July), day of computer technician (February 14th), day of web programmer (April 4th), day of software tester (September 9). Take these opportunities to celebrate, and don’t forget to congratulate your friends if they work in the IT-sphere.
Extra Fact- Several programming languages are named after famous mathematicians
Creators of programming languages seem to have a fondness for naming languages in honor of mathematicians.
Here are some languages that have been named after mathematicians.
- Ada: Named after Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), a mathematician and writer credited with writing the world’s first computer program.
- Haskell: Named after American mathematician Haskell Brooks Curry (1900-1982), best known for his work on combinatory logic.
- Pascal: Named after the famed French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1622). Pascal made great contributions to mathematics including probability theory and game theory.
- Erlang: Named after Danish mathematician Agner Krarup Erlang (1878-1929), best known for traffic engineering and queuing theory.
Ready to start coding?
With the amount of information available nowadays, it’s still common to have blind spots when it comes to certain subjects. Hopefully, we managed to shed some light on coding for you today, and now you feel more knowledgeable on this interesting trendy topic. If you consider coding as your career, you should attempt to learn as much as you can – and there is a lot to learn about coding. Yet, it’s more fun and entertaining than one might think. Explore coding facts we prepared for you in this article and research on your own to find even more cool stuff about coding!
If you’re feeling motivated to learn how to code, be sure to check out our online courses, where you can pick from many of the top programming languages, including Python, C++, and Java.
You can also dive into projects and learn how to Interview and many more along the way, as well as everything you need to know to get started in one of these career paths.
Not sure where to start? Take our coding personality quiz to see which languages might suit you best.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these 10 fascinating code facts shed light on the intricate world of technology and programming. From the origins of the first programming language to the staggering number of lines of code in popular software, the realm of coding is filled with captivating details. Whether it’s the significance of open-source projects or the evolution of programming languages, these facts highlight the dynamic nature of the tech industry. Understanding these insights not only deepens our appreciation for the art of coding but also underscores its profound impact on our modern world.
FAQs
What are some interesting facts about Coding?
Coding is the backbone of modern technology, and there are numerous intriguing facts about it. For instance, the first computer program was created by Ada Lovelace in the 19th century, and the term “bug” originated from an actual insect causing a malfunction in a computer.
Why are these code facts important to know?
Understanding these code facts provides valuable insights into the history, significance, and impact of coding. It allows individuals to appreciate the evolution of technology, the contributions of pioneering programmers, and the continuous innovation within the coding community.
Wrapping Up
Did you learn anything new? I hope you found a few useful nuggets that you can use in your programming journey.
We, the software developers, get tired after working on complex lines of code for endless hours. I hope these cool as well as informative facts about coding have refreshed your mind. After all, a happy mind can deliver better.
Keep enriching your curiosity and master your coding skills to build amazing enterprise applications.
Happy Coding!!
Thank you to all for reading my blog. -Devansh
Every Programmer is an Author.
I hope everyone like it.