4 ms·
Almost every hacker I know started between the ages of 11 and 14. That seems to be the sweet spot; the time when brains are malleable enough to be able to adapt
by rabidsnail 15y ago
Almost every hacker I know started between the ages of 11 and 14. That seems to be the sweet spot; the time when brains are malleable enough to be able to adapt to strange new concepts but have enough knowledge to be able to put those concepts in some context.
I think that compsci programs should be like art schools where your portfolio is what's considered first when you apply for admission.
- ido 15y agoI was born in 1983 and was fortunate enough that my parents got our first computer at 1987 (I always had a computer since then and probably started programming in my early teens). However there are plenty of people who are far less fortunate and were not exposed to programming until much later in life (I know quite a few good programmers like that), is it fair to disallow them of a CS education at the because they don't have a portfolio at the age of 18?
- rabidsnail 15y agoAlso like art, it should be a subject in schools. It can replace the pointless "how to use microsoft office" classes we're wasting kids' time with now.
- ido 15y agoYes, I think that at some point in the future (one we are hopefully quickly approaching) basic programming knowledge would be treated like arithmetic & literacy and be taught to every school kid. But we aren't there yet, and there are plenty of kids (especially in poor countries) which simply don't have access to a computer and/or someone to give them that first nudge to start programming.