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> Not everyone can learn coding without externally imposed structure. That's actually not what a CS degree is primarily about. You learn to code in maybe the f
by daveFNbuck 7y ago
> Not everyone can learn coding without externally imposed structure.
That's actually not what a CS degree is primarily about. You learn to code in maybe the first 2 or 3 classes. After that, it's assumed that you can translate ideas into code and you start learning about different areas of computer science.
If you just need to learn to code for a job, there are bootcamps that can teach you that in a fraction of the time and cost.
> But those who can't probably have an ongoing problem in keeping up with the state of the art.
Personally, I wasn't able to learn to code in any meaningful way before college. I had tried to learn from books and online sources but never got beyond basic scripting. After working my way through a bachelor's degree and PhD, I don't have much trouble keeping up with the state of the art now.
- james_in_the_uk 7y agoGood comment. I can code, and I am knowledgeable about computing in general terms, but I am not a computer scientist as I haven't benefitted from the rigour of formal training. (I am a lawyer, fwiw).
- staticassertion 7y agoAt what point do I get to call myself a computer scientist? I dropped out of college halfway through.
- Melkor765 7y agoI think it's fair to call yourself a computer scientist if you do computer science. If I walk dogs I'm a dog walker right?
- danielscrubs 7y agoIf you write papers that is. Doing cs is not coding just to clarify.
- daveFNbuck 7y agoThere's no real fixed meaning to computer scientist, so you can call yourself one if you like. I considered myself one when I was doing computer science research for my PhD, but I don't consider myself one now that I'm working as a software engineer.
- t34543 7y agoI suffered the opposite experience. I can’t learn in an academic setting. If I’m faced with a problem (read: motivation) I’ll learn what I need to solve it.