Code.org uses a basic tool to teach people how to code.  Code.org's teaching tool is a computer programming language called “Blockly.”  Blockly is based off of a program called “App Inventor,” a program designed by MIT that allows people to create apps for their phones.  App Inventor, in turn, was influenced by a program called “Scratch.”  Scratch was also designed by MIT for children specifically so they could learn computer programming skills ("FAQ - High Level”).

Blockly is easily exportable to more common programming languages such as JavaScript.  It also has the ability to be exported into the Python or XML languages (“FAQ - High Level”).

Blockly also solves the problem of complete novices to coding having to learn the grammar of the code.  As with any spoken or written language in today’s world, people must identify what they want to say.  Then they have to say it in a way that makes sense and allows the listener to comprehend the statement.  This becomes a problem when another spoken or written language comes into play.  As an example, if someone is speaking in spanish to a local and wants to know how to get to the local supermarket, they first must think about what they want to say.  After that, they take that statement and put it into words.  Then, before the words come out, they have to be translated into the language the local will understand.  So, the question “¿Dondé está el supermercado?” has to be said in that way.  If the question is rephrased to “¿Cuáles son el supermercado?”, the local will look at you as if you had three heads.  This is the same problem that computer programmers face with the computer programming language.

Blockly is set up so that this crisis is avoided.  It enables people to drag and drop elements.  The code is written in the background.  Thus, a novice programmer can sit and worry about what they want to say as opposed to how they need to say it (“FAQ - High Level”).