Windows/Mac/Linux: Programming an Arduino isn't especially difficult, but if you're looking for a more visual method, Scratch for Arduino (S4A) uses MIT's Scratch as a groundwork for teaching kids ...

But now, I want to build an application on my computer that allows me to click some buttons to control the Arduino. To do this, I am using Visual Basic — the programming language that I’m familiar ...

But you can also learn to code by programming devices. The Arduino and the Raspberry Pi both provide a great learning ground here, with support for multiple IDEs and a wide range of components.