coding

In a technical context, this term refers to the creative and logical act of instructing a computer. It is often used interchangeably with programming, though coding is sometimes perceived as the more specific act of translating logic into a language, whereas programming encompasses the broader design and architecture of software.

In social science and qualitative research, the term takes on a completely different meaning. Here, it describes the systematic process of labeling segments of text or data to identify patterns. This usage is highly specialized and distinct from the computer science application, focusing on categorization rather than execution.