> I feel like the general idea of "learning to code" is simply typing commands into a machine that then get executed exactly. But isn't that how every skill be

> I feel like the general idea of "learning to code" is simply typing commands into a machine that then get executed exactly. But isn't that how every skill begins? With doing very simple things, by the book? Like in your examples: building things - cutting out preprinted paper models and gluing the pieces playing music - playing scales over and over again reading & writing - reading and writing simple sentences over and over I don't know any skill where you just "jump" to creativity. It all takes time and effort, during which you actually learn the patterns. I think coding is worth learning for a simple reason - computers are pervasive and universal tools, therefore to know how to talk to them is a part of universal literacy, just like reading, writing and arithmetic.