The team of neuroscientists did fMRI brain-scans of young adults while they were solving a small coding challenge using a textual programming language (Python) and a visual one (Scratch Jr.).  They discovered that the brain activity wasn't similar to when we process language. Instead, coding seems to activate the "multiple demand network", which — as the scientists note in a public relations writeup of their work — "is also recruited for complex cognitive tasks such as solving math problems or crossword puzzles".

But the boffins saw activity patterns that differ from those you'd see solving maths problems  which means that understanding computer code seems to be its own thing.

What this means is that the move to place programming as part of hard core maths studies at school are probably targeting the wrong people. While maths might be good for some programming abilities it is not the skill which makes for the best developers.  Neither are language skills.