What does coding mean?

Some friends asked me about what the difference between coding and programming is. So, let's look into it a bit, shall we?

Well yeah, coding IS different than programming. How? First let's look up what programming stands for:

Computer programming (often shortened to programming or coding) is the process of designing,writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining the source code of computer programs. (source Wikipedia)

A coder usually does code for fun and is not using his/her full potential. I, for example, am coding for fun at home and programming at work.

A coder won't:

- design - he mainly goes with the flow: "I want my program to do this and that...";

+ write - well, yeah. Somebody HAS to write that program;

+/- test - on a minimalist base (he relies on the community to find the bugs);

+/-- debug - if he/her has enough time;

- maintain - hell no! Who would then write the next big/mean application?!

Although some people won't admit it, a coder is mainly a lonely wolf sort of speak, and the programs he/she does usually don't reach or exceed the potential of a fully planned, documented software that a software team could program.

There you have it. 

May the bit be with you!