Coding and cooking. On the surface, these two activities may seem quite different, but upon closer look, you’ll see that they have many similarities. Both require following instructions or steps, attention to detail, and a willingness to experiment. In this article, we’ll explore why coding is like baking, and how the two activities can be compared.
Algorithmic Baking: How following a recipe is like writing code
Whether you’re baking a cake or writing a program, you need to follow a set of instructions to get the desired result. Both baking and coding rely on algorithms, which are a series of steps that are executed in a specific order.
In baking, a recipe is a set of instructions that tell you exactly what ingredients to use, how much of each to use, and how to combine them to make a particular baked good. Similarly, in coding, an algorithm is a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do, how to do it, and in what order.
If-Else Ingredients: How coding conditions apply to baking
Another similarity between coding and baking is the use of conditions. In baking, if the dough is too dry, you might add more liquid, and if the dough is too wet, you might add more flour. Similarly, in coding, conditions are used to determine what actions to take based on specific criteria. For example, if a user inputs an incorrect password, the program will display an error message or prompt the user to try again.
Looping Towards Deliciousness: How baking and coding both rely on repetition
In both baking and coding, you often need to repeat a set of steps to achieve your goal. For example, when forming cookies, you might use a loop to roll out each piece of dough and shape it into a cookie. In programming, you use loops to repeat a set of actions until a certain condition is met. The result in both cases is multiple identical items.
Debugging and Desserts: The shared skills of baking and coding
Whether you’re baking cookies or writing code, attention to detail and creativity can take you a long way. In baking, every ingredient needs to be measured precisely and every step needs to be executed with care. Similarly, in programming, even a small typo can cause your program to fail.
What’s more, both baking and coding require a certain amount of troubleshooting and problem-solving. In baking, you might need to adjust the temperature or baking time to get your cookies just right. In coding, you need to debug your program by finding and fixing errors in your code.
Sweet Syntax
Here’s a fun and simple cookie recipe written in coding terms:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Preheat your “oven” to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In “function dry ingredients”, mix together the “flour”, “baking soda”, and “salt”.
3. In “function wet ingredients”, cream together the “butter”, “granulated sugar”, and “brown sugar” until “smooth”.
4. Add the “egg” and “vanilla extract” to “function wet ingredients” and mix until well combined.
5. Slowly add the “function dry ingredients” to the “function wet ingredients” and mix until combined.
6. Stir in “chocolate chips” using a “loop” until evenly distributed.
7. “Scoop out” 1.5 tablespoons of dough and place 2 inches apart on “the baking sheet”, using a “loop” until no more dough is left.
8. “Bake” the “cookies” in the preheated “oven” for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
9. “Remove” the “cookies” from the “oven” and allow them to cool on the “baking sheet” for a few minutes before transferring them to a “cooling rack”.
10. Enjoy your delicious “cookies”!
Whisking together code and cookies
In conclusion, coding and baking seem like very different activities at first glance, but they have a lot in common. By introducing children to coding concepts through hands-on experiences such as cooking or robots like KUBO, they can develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will serve them well in both baking and coding. KUBO’s screen-free approach makes it an excellent choice for educators looking to introduce young children to the world of coding.
