Kodeclik Blog
50 Coding Terms
Whether you’re building your first Scratch game or dreaming up an AI app, you’ll bump into a lot of new words. Below are 50 of the most common coding terms, broken into four easy groups. Skim them now, bookmark for later, and impress your friends (and maybe your teacher) the next time “machine learning” or “boolean” pops up in class.
Core Computer Science Concepts
1. Algorithm
A step-by-step recipe for solving a problem. Think of it like the instructions for baking cookies—follow each step and you’ll get the same tasty result every time.
2. Array
A list of items stored next to each other in memory, numbered starting at zero. Because everything is in order, finding the 5th element is lightning fast.
3. Bit
The tiniest unit of data—either a 0 or a 1. All videos, emojis, and Fortnite skins eventually boil down to long strings of bits.
4. Boolean
A value that’s either true or false, perfect for yes/no questions. Booleans power if-statements, helping programs make decisions.
5. Byte
Eight bits bundled together; enough to store one keyboard character like the letter “A.” A kilobyte is about a short text message, and each step up (MB, GB) is 1,024× bigger.
6. Class
A blueprint for creating objects in object-oriented languages. It defines both the data (fields) and the actions (methods) that every object of that type will have.
7. Function
A reusable chunk of code that performs a specific task when “called.” Using functions keeps programs organized and avoids copy-pasting the same logic everywhere.
8. Loop
Code that repeats until a condition is met—like “do this 10 times” or “keep going while there are cards in the deck.” Loops save tons of typing and handle repetitive work for you.
9. Variable
A labeled box that stores data your program can change as it runs. Names like score or playerHealth make code easier to read than raw numbers.
10. Conditional (if statement)
Code that makes decisions: “If it’s raining, grab an umbrella; otherwise, wear sunglasses.” Conditionals let software act differently in different situations.
11. Compilation
Turning human-readable code into machine language before it runs. Compiled programs usually start faster and run quicker than code that’s interpreted on the fly.
12. Garbage Collection (GC)
Behind-the-scenes cleanup that frees memory your program no longer needs. Languages with GC (like Java or Python) spare you from most manual memory headaches.
13. Pointer
A special variable that stores a memory address rather than data itself, common in C and C++. Powerful but sharp—mismanage pointers and you can crash your program!
14. Syntax
The grammatical rules of a programming language—punctuation, keywords, and indentation. Mess up the syntax and the computer will give you an error instead of running your code.
Programming Languages
15. Python
A friendly, easy-to-read language that powers everything from web apps to NASA experiments. Its huge library ecosystem means there’s a module for almost anything you want to build.
16. Javascript (JS)
The language that makes websites move, click, scroll, and talk to servers, running in every browser. Knowing JS is like having a passport to front-end, back-end, and even mobile development.
17. Typescript (TS)
JavaScript with training wheels—adds types so your code catches mistakes sooner. Big projects stay cleaner because TS flags sneaky errors before you even hit “Run.”
18. Java
A rock-solid language used by banks, Android apps, and Minecraft; its motto is “Write once, run anywhere.” The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) lets the same program run on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
19. C++
A fast, power-tool language for games and heavy-duty apps like Photoshop. You get granular control over memory, which is why high-performance software often relies on it.
20. C#
Pronounced “C-sharp”; Microsoft’s go-to language for Xbox games and Windows apps. It blends the speed of C-style languages with the safety nets of modern features like garbage collection.
21. GO (Golang)
Google’s simple, speedy language that handles lots of internet traffic without sweating. Its goroutines (lightweight threads) make concurrency almost effortless.
22. Rust
A modern systems language that keeps bugs away by checking memory safety for you. Developers love it for building blazingly fast yet crash-free software.
23. Swift
Apple’s language for building iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps with a clean, friendly syntax. Playgrounds in Xcode let you see code run live, making learning interactive.
24. Kotlin
A concise Java alternative that’s now the first-class language for Android. Features like null-safety prevent the dreaded “app has stopped” crash.
25. Micro:bit
A pocket-sized computer you program (often in MakeCode or Python) to learn hardware basics. Its LEDs, buttons, and sensors make coding feel hands-on and fun.
26. Scratch
Drag-and-drop coding blocks that snap together like LEGO bricks—perfect for beginners. Under the hood you’re still learning loops and conditionals, just without scary syntax.
27. Ruby
A beginner-friendly language famous for its Rails web framework. It emphasizes developer happiness, letting you express ideas in fewer lines of code.
28. PHP
A server language that still powers large chunks of the web, including WordPress. It may look old-school, but modern PHP has speedy engines and strong typing options.
Libraries & Frameworks
29. React
A JavScript toolkit from Meta that builds fast, component-based user interfaces. Because components are reusable, teams can share buttons, forms, and nav bars like digital LEGO pieces.
30. Angular
Google’s all-in-one web framework that uses TypeScript and helpful “directives.” Its batteries-included approach means routing, forms, and testing tools come ready to roll.
31. Vue
A lightweight JS framework praised for its simplicity and gentle learning curve. You can drop a single script tag into an existing site and sprinkle reactive magic as needed.
32. Svelte
A compiler that turns components into super-small, super-fast JavaScript at build time. Since the work happens upfront, finished pages ship less code and feel snappier.
33. Next.js
A React “meta-framework” that adds routing and server-side rendering out of the box. Search engines and users both love the fast initial load and SEO-friendly pages. The Kodeclik site is written in Next.js!
34. Nuxt.js
Vue’s answer to Next.js—great for SEO-friendly, server-rendered sites right from the start. It also supports static-site generation, making deployments simple and cheap.
35. Express
A minimal Node.js library for spinning up web servers in a few lines of code. It’s the secret sauce behind countless REST APIs and student projects.
36. NestJS
A structured, TypeScript-first server framework inspired by Angular’s design. It brings decorators, dependency injection, and testing tools to the Node.js world.
37. TensorFlow
Google’s open-source toolkit for building and training machine-learning models. It scales from your laptop’s CPU to clusters of GPUs in the cloud.
38. PyTorch
Meta’s flexible deep-learning library that feels like regular Python and scales like C++. Researchers love it for rapid prototyping and clear, eager-execution debugging.
39. Django
A batteries-included Python framework that helps you build secure websites fast. Its admin panel, authentication, and ORM save months of groundwork.
40. Flask
A super-light Python web framework—just add the pieces you need. Perfect for small APIs, quick hacks, or when you want total control over every detail.
Technologies & Tools
41. Block Coding
Programming by stacking visual blocks instead of typing code, as made popular by Scratch. It’s a great first step because you focus on logic rather than semicolons.
42. Command Line (CLI)
A text window where you type commands directly to your computer. Pros love it because common tasks like moving files or running tests are quicker than clicking through menus.
43. Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
An “all-in-one” coding studio with a text editor, debugger, and more. IDEs like VS Code and PyCharm catch typos in real time and suggest fixes, boosting productivity.
44. Version Control (Git)
A time machine for code—keeps track of every change so you can undo mistakes and collaborate. Platforms like GitHub add social features like pull requests and issue tracking.
45. Continuous Integration (CI)
Robots that test your code every time you push changes, catching bugs early. CI pipelines also build and deploy apps automatically, so releases are less stressful.
46. Application Programming Interface (API)
A set of rules that lets apps talk to each other—like ordering food through a waiter instead of barging into the kitchen. APIs power everything from weather widgets to mobile payments.
47. Augmented Reality (AR)
Tech that layers digital images over the real world, as in Pokémon GO or Snapchat filters. Coders combine 3-D models, sensors, and math to make virtual objects stick to physical space.
48. Cloud Computing
Renting computers on the internet instead of owning physical servers. You can scale from one user to one million without buying extra hardware.
49. Machine Learning (ML)
Training computers to spot patterns and make predictions from data. ML fuels recommendation engines, self-driving cars, and voice assistants like Siri.
50. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
Organizing code into “objects” that bundle data and actions together. OOP concepts like inheritance and polymorphism help manage complexity in big projects.
Wrapping Up
Master these 50 terms and you’ll have a solid foundation to explore deeper topics like game engines, cybersecurity, or data science. Keep coding, keep asking questions, and remember: every expert developer once started with “Hello, world!”
