3 ms·

> being able to code makes you no more of a software developer than learning newton's laws of motions makes you a mechanical engineer. Yes! I wish this point g

> being able to code makes you no more of a software developer than learning newton's laws of motions makes you a mechanical engineer. Yes! I wish this point got more attention. So many articles - there was one on here from a16z today - pretend there is this magical thing called learning to code that takes a couple months and suddenly puts you on par with every software developer. The analogy I like to use is claiming that by taking an introduction to statics course you are somehow on par with an architect or engineer that is designing bridges and skyscrapers. Software development needs wide acknowledgement as an actual trade that takes a broad base of theoretical and practical learning, including time spent writing code, to be proficient, and not seen through the lens of this learn to code nonsense. I've talked to so many business people who see "coding" as a skill they could pick up if they had a couple months, that would then let them be on par with career developers - if only they weren't busy with higher value work. This is one of the big reasons why many companies are so dysfunctional

tympious 5y ago
This reminded me of "Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years" - http://www.norvig.com/21-days.html http://www.norvig.com/21-days.html
analog31 5y ago
To the casual observer, the stereotypical age of computer programmers contradicts your claim. ;-) While I can certainly appreciate that it takes time to mature as a developer, the job market at least reinforces the idea that you can get hired at the entry level after maybe a couple years of study. My mom's programming students got hired that quickly in the 1980s. What I do think is that the small part of software development called coding is something you can learn in a couple years. At that point you may be able to perform a useful role in a larger team of developers, e.g., under the wing of a senior, giving you time to further mature as a full blown developer.
- horns4lyfe 5y ago
  Well ya, “entry level”, you said it yourself.

tympious 5y ago

This reminded me of "Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years" - http://www.norvig.com/21-days.html http://www.norvig.com/21-days.html

analog31 5y ago

To the casual observer, the stereotypical age of computer programmers contradicts your claim. ;-) While I can certainly appreciate that it takes time to mature as a developer, the job market at least reinforces the idea that you can get hired at the entry level after maybe a couple years of study. My mom's programming students got hired that quickly in the 1980s. What I do think is that the small part of software development called coding is something you can learn in a couple years. At that point you may be able to perform a useful role in a larger team of developers, e.g., under the wing of a senior, giving you time to further mature as a full blown developer.

horns4lyfe 5y ago
Well ya, “entry level”, you said it yourself.