When we think of coding, we often envision lines of text written in languages like Python, JavaScript, or HTML on a computer screen. This has become the standard image of coding. However, in its simplest form, coding is much broader than programming languages—it’s a way of communicating by converting information into a format that can be understood, processed, or transmitted. In fact, coding has been present for centuries, appearing in forms we might not immediately recognize as “code.” From ancient scripts to modern braille, coding has long shaped human communication and knowledge sharing.
Coding is More Than Computers
The term “code” in the modern world is closely tied to technology, but it simply refers to a system of symbols or instructions that conveys meaning. When a computer “reads” code, it translates it into actions—whether that’s showing you a webpage, running an application, or performing a calculation. But coding doesn’t have to be restricted to machines. According to this blog post, many historical systems have used the same principles of encoding information in symbols or instructions for humans to interpret.
Take the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, for example. This complex system of symbols recorded everything from religious texts to historical events. Each image, or “glyph,” represented a word, a sound, or a concept, much like today’s written alphabets. It took centuries before researchers could decode this intricate system, but once they did, it unlocked vast amounts of knowledge about ancient Egypt. In this sense, hieroglyphics were a form of code—a way of storing and transferring information from generation to generation.
Another example is Mesopotamian cuneiform, developed by the Sumerians around 3400 BCE, which featured wedge-shaped impressions made on clay tablets. Initially, it was used for tracking inventories and managing administrative tasks, but over time, it grew to encompass laws, literature, and historical records. Each symbol, or “sign,” could stand for syllables, words, or concepts, much like today’s alphabets and logographic systems. Decoding cuneiform took centuries, but when scholars finally cracked its code, it unveiled the rich legacy of one of the world’s earliest civilizations. In essence, cuneiform was a kind of code preserving knowledge and culture through the ages.
Braille, another non-digital code, was developed in the 1800s by Louis Braille. It uses a series of raised dots arranged in specific patterns to represent letters and numbers. This system allows people who are blind or visually impaired to “read” by feeling the dots. Like a computer code that translates text into digital signals, braille translates written language into a tactile format. It’s a powerful example of how coding can bridge gaps in communication, even when technology isn’t involved.
Cryptography: Ancient Coding for Privacy
While many ancient codes were designed to store information, others were developed to keep information hidden. Cryptography, the art of encoding messages to keep them secret, has existed for thousands of years. During wartime, leaders would often send encrypted messages to their generals to ensure that if the message were intercepted, the enemy wouldn’t be able to understand it. These encrypted messages could only be decoded with a unique key or method, ensuring that only the intended recipient could understand the message.
One of the earliest forms of cryptography was the Caesar Cipher, which Julius Caesar used to protect his military communications. It involved shifting each letter in the message by a certain number of places in the alphabet. For example, with a shift of three, “A” would become “D,” “B” would become “E,” and so on. Without knowing the shift number, it would be extremely difficult to read the message. In this way, cryptography was an ancient method of coding—a way of transforming a message into a format that only those with the correct key could interpret.
Fast forward to today, and cryptography is critical in modern coding. Encryption algorithms protect our emails, secure our online transactions, and safeguard sensitive data. Even though the methods have evolved, the underlying concept remains the same: turning information into a secret code that only authorized parties can access.
How Coding Shapes Today’s Society
Coding is often an unseen force behind our everyday activities and industries. Whether you’re watching a sports game, shopping for clothes, or exploring real estate, coding plays an integral role in the functionality and innovation of these experiences. From architectural design software that helps create detailed 3D models of buildings to the artificial intelligence driving virtual influencers in the fashion industry, programming is woven into the fabric of modern society. Governments rely on coding to protect sensitive information and streamline services, while scientific research benefits from simulations that accelerate discovery. Even in sports, coding analyzes performance and strategizes future games. In short, coding shapes our world in visible and hidden ways, driving progress and innovation across industries.
Conclusion: The Ubiquity of Code
Coding isn’t just something we do with computers; it’s a method of communication that has been embedded in human history for centuries. From hieroglyphics and braille to cryptography and music, coding systems have always existed to help us convey, store, and protect information. What we think of as “code” today may look like a stream of characters on a computer screen, but in reality, it’s just one form of a much larger and older tradition.
It’s important to remember that coding is not just a new phenomenon born from technology. Humans have always been coders in one way or another, using various systems to communicate, create, and safeguard knowledge. By recognizing these older forms of code, we can better appreciate how information is encoded and understood, both in the past and future.
