The DayOneCode blog

Plain answers to the questions every new coder asks, for kids, grown-ups and parents. Each post has something to try right on the page.

• The terminal

  What is a terminal? The plain answer, and your first three commands

  A terminal is the window where you give your computer commands in words. Learn terminal vs shell vs command line, how to open one, and try three safe commands.

  14 November 2026 · 7 min read

• The terminal

  Which Windows shell should a beginner learn: PowerShell or CMD?

  PowerShell vs CMD, explained for beginners: what each Windows shell is, how to tell which one you are in, why pasted commands fail, and which one to learn first.

  14 November 2026 · 7 min read

• Files and paths

  What is a file path? Every file’s home address, explained

  A file path is the address of a file on your computer. See Windows and Mac paths side by side, absolute vs relative paths, how to copy a path, and try it safely.

  14 November 2026 · 8 min read

• AI coding agents

  What is an AI coding agent? What it does, and how to stay the boss

  An AI coding agent reads your project, edits files and runs commands. See how it differs from a chatbot, how to stay safe, and who is old enough to use one.

  14 November 2026 · 8 min read

• For parents

  How can my child start coding for free? A guide by age, from 5 to 12

  Free ways for a child to start coding, by age: ScratchJr and screen-free games at 5 to 7, Scratch and Code Club at 8 to 12, then real commands and Python.

  14 November 2026 · 8 min read