Microsoft delivering coding opportunities to young people via 'Hour of Code'

Code.org’s annual 'Hour of Code' campaign is currently underway, bringing coding to the attention of millions of children via worldwide celebrations to commemorate the event. Microsoft is one of the many technology firms to back the movement, by helping hundreds of thousands of the young people with coding skills. Last year the event was promoted by President of the United States; Barack Obama, and numerous computing giants across the globe.

Using Microsoft’s recently acquired video game 'Minecraft', Code.org and a number of staff from Redmond created a tailor-made tutorial for younger programmers, set in the game's universe. The Minecraft 'Hour of Code' experience pits the user against simple puzzles, which can be solved using custom procedures, created using an easy-to-use interface. Microsoft has reported that over 2.4 million people have used the tutorial to date, with the tool still seeing frequent use.

Over the coming week, Microsoft employees are scheduled to host events in over fifty countries, giving young people the opportunity to begin coding, and use their talents in creative workshops. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is also set to join the event by traveling to a Seattle elementary school to teach basic coding.

Source: Microsoft via Windows Central