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When did programming become "coding"? (beehaw.org)

submitted 23 hours ago by Powderhorn@beehaw.org to c/technology@beehaw.org

28 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Serious question. We had a perfectly serviceable word, yet everyone decided to shift. Is it just that it's shorter to type?

If so, I feel for your colleagues trying to parse your code when all your variables use abbreviations.

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[–] marxismtomorrow@lemmy.today 37 points 23 hours ago (2 children)

Code was in use relating to the set of instructions used to control a computer in 1946; with it becoming a verb by 1986. Programming was from 1945 as a first use in regards to computers; meaning "cause to be automatically regulated in a prescribed way.

Now the funny thing is the noun 'Program' in regards to computers in 1945 meant "series of coded instructions which directs a computer in carrying out a specific task"

So if we really work through the etymology a bit, coded instructions was first, then Program/ming, then Code and coding; though certainly 'encoding' would have been used before programming given the definition of 'coded instructions.'

So... Blame Ada Lovelace for not coming up with something catchy like 'lacing' which would have been far more camp (and much more accurate to the gender of early programmers).

[–] JohnEdwa@sopuli.xyz 10 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (1 children)

And be grateful that we didn't start calling it "apping", even though the term "program" is effectively extinct these days.

[–] Jack@lemmy.ca 4 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

For me apps are things that are fullscreen-only (on phones, Windows 8 apps, GNOME 3+), while programs are small CLI things or complex ones with discoverable GUIs where you have more control over the UI and placement.

Don't know what tiling window systems would make programs by the above definition.

[–] orionsbelt@midwest.social 3 points 23 hours ago

this is awesome, thanks!