Code is a set of program instructions that do something. Hence, code is something that exists. Numbers are human concepts that express the quantity of existent things. So you can say that you own 10 (quantity) MS Office programs. But quantity in itself is just an abstraction, mathematical concept of the human mind.
What if I told you that there is something backing those BTC numbers?
Just like there is a tangible item backing each MS office program (the license key), the item that backs the quantity of BTC is the
transaction output.
Whereas you can get more than one copy of a MS office program
in the activated state by possessing more than one key, by possessing more than one "mass" of BTC you get a transaction output
in a different size.
Just as not all MS Office keys are created equally (those 10 keys might as well be for Personal, Business, Office 365 and Enterprise), neither are transaction outputs.
MS Office license keys (just a string of alphanumeric "codes") the "numbers" back the virtual tangible MS office "source code", the "program".
And similarly, the BTC "numbers" back the virtual tangible transaction outputs which are stored on the ledger.
Get it?
Hey, this could be a good guest post for Bitcoin Magazine, "Bitcoin exists; beyond the numbers on the balance".
Ok, let me make this easier for you by asking you a question. If bitcoin is a thing that exists, than you don't need a new investor to voluntarily accept quantity next to your address in the exchange for his funds. Rather, you can benefit from the thing behind the quantity, which you claim exists. However, if Bitcoin doesn't exist that you are left only with quantity next to your address. Since quantity by itself is just a mathematical concept you are left with nothing. Now the question: can you benefit from the quantity next to your address without a new investor voluntarily accepting this quantity?