Thinking in steps, then in code.
Programming languages look very different, but they share a small set of ideas. A program stores values, makes decisions, repeats steps, groups steps into reusable pieces and keeps collections of data. Learn these ideas once and a new language mostly means learning new spelling.
This area explains each idea in plain words with short, language-neutral examples. It also covers the habits that separate working code from broken code: describing a solution as an algorithm, debugging in small steps and writing tests.
Who it helps: Start here if you want to learn to code but do not know what to study first, or if you can copy code and want to understand why it works.
Logic and Programming
Programming means writing exact instructions for a computer. Learn what code is, how a program runs, and what a first small program looks like.
Updated October 30, 2026
Logic and Programming
A variable is a named place to keep a value. Learn the main data types (numbers, text, true/false), how to convert between them, and common traps.
Updated October 30, 2026
Logic and Programming
Learn how if, elif and else let a program choose between paths, how comparisons and and/or/not work, and the mistakes that break decisions.
Updated October 30, 2026
Logic and Programming
Learn what for and while loops do, how to pick between them, how break and continue work, and how to avoid infinite loops, with a shopping cart example.
Updated October 30, 2026
Logic and Programming
A function is a named block of code you can run again and again. Learn parameters, return values, scope and why functions keep programs tidy.
Updated October 30, 2026
Logic and Programming
Compare lists (arrays) and dictionaries: how each stores many values, how to read and change them, and how to choose between them for your data.
Updated October 30, 2026
Logic and Programming
A repeatable method for finding and fixing bugs: read the error, reproduce the problem, narrow it down, check values, fix one thing and confirm.
Updated October 30, 2026
Logic and Programming
An algorithm is a finite list of clear steps that solves a problem. See how to write one in everyday words and pseudocode, then turn it into Python code.
Updated October 30, 2026
Logic and Programming
Learn what a unit test is, how to write and run one with Python's unittest, how to pick test cases, and why small automated checks catch bugs early.
Updated October 30, 2026