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Your post doesn't make sense to me and I think it's because you misunderstand what programming actually is. Programming, at it's core, is just the act of giving
by moistgorilla 14y ago
Your post doesn't make sense to me and I think it's because you misunderstand what programming actually is. Programming, at it's core, is just the act of giving the computer commands to execute in a certain way. There is no way to automate a process using a computer without using programming. So what you suggest, is only possible in two ways. Build an artificial intelligence that programs for us and decides what we want or somehow code a piece of software that can solve any problem and automate any task. Neither of which are currently possible or really desirable (imagine the bloat of the software).
Everyone should learn to program, even at the highest level of abstraction (python, visual basic, SCRATCH), just so they understand what the tool (computer) they have in their hands is capable of.
People go through their everyday lives not even considering automating certain tasks because they haven't been exposed to what programming can do. People go through their days not understanding when they are being ripped off or blatantly stolen from. They don't know what is secure and what isn't. Learning to program solves these problems.
To quote Ben Franklin
"Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security."
Disclaimer: I am slightly biased. I don't agree with what Steve Jobs stood for. I don't believe people should become mindless content consuming drones nor do I believe in walled gardens. If I buy 3 acres of property I don't want to be locked in .5 acres because of a damn hedge.
- adeelk 14y ago> There is no way to automate a process using a computer without using programming. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automator_(software) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automator_(software)
- moistgorilla 14y agoThat is programming.
- georgieporgie 14y agoI think your definition of programming is tending toward being pointlessly broad.
- moistgorilla 14y agoMy definition of programming is just a definition that is capable of describing every programming language I've seen. If programming is not giving commands to a computer then what is it?
- georgieporgie 14y agoIs typing 'dir' or 'ls' at a command prompt programming? Am I programming if I double-click on a folder or enter a web page URL?
- drcube 14y agoI'd argue yes. Microsoft Word is a domain specific language for formatting documents. Just because you can't create an OS with it doesn't mean you aren't telling a computer what to do using gestures and keystrokes that you had to learn first. Every day user tasks are just very high level programming, with limited power compared to general purpose languages.
- ineedtosleep 14y agoAnd arguing semantics is just as pointless.
- crazy_eye 14y agoYour argument is simplistic and one-sided, unless your definition of 'everyone' is 'the HN community'.
- Dn_Ab 14y agoI agree with him when he says computers should be smarter, more intelligent. I am working on a project that explores this idea. You would probably put it as programming a computer by communicating with it. Balancing preemption with annoyance. On the other hand, I also still think everyone should learn to program as it is good for your brain, aids in learning/exploring extremely abstract mathematical concepts and is practical. Somewhere between the usefulness of basic math skills and either advanced grammar skills or elementary physics.