5 ms·

I fear the point is still missed. He used the analogy of the auto mechanic, which I liked very much: "Isn't knowing how to change a tire, and when to take your

by lojack 14y ago

I fear the point is still missed. He used the analogy of the auto mechanic, which I liked very much: "Isn't knowing how to change a tire, and when to take your car in for an oil change, sufficient?" Exactly. Learning to code is like learning the basics of auto mechanics. If you own a car, it would be very beneficial to learn the basics of how a car works so you know to change the fluid levels, why they are important, and all 101 level maintenance. In a similar fashion, learning to code is like learning the high level basics of how computers work. We don't expect an business guy to learn to develop kernel level drivers, antialiasing algorithms, or detail on public-private encryption just like we don't expect every car owner to know how to repair a broken starter motor or diagnose a vacuum leak. For a business guy, truly learning things like the detail required, difficulties in collaborating on code, and how larger programs take more time to change are all vital pieces to understanding their business.

rmATinnovafy 14y ago
As some who used to work on cars for a living, I can say that the analogy does not fit very well. Learning how to check your oil level, or even how to change a tire is more akin to learning how to install a new wi-fi dongle for your laptop, or how to install a new OS. Learning how to program the computer is akin to learning how to modify the drivetrain of the car. You modify the engine to make it perform better (versus a standard baseline) by modifying or even replacing the components of the engine. You modify your computer with code to make it perform better (again, versis a standard baseline). All computers ar equal, what differs them is the software. How each programmer can modify the order of zeroes and ones to make the computer work in a certain way. Some people go as far as creating an engine from raw materials. In computers, we know those people as the embedded folks.
- agentultra 14y ago
  It's just a poor analogy. The two have nothing in common what-so-ever. You do not simply modify your computer with code to make it perform better.
  - rmATinnovafy 14y ago
    Yes, you do modify the code to make the computer run better, and to do things it originally couldn't do. I do agree that the analogy is not a good one.
- shadesandcolour 14y ago
  You interpretation of his analogy is what he wants I think. If learning how to change your oil is like learning to install that new wifi dongle, then you should know how to do that. You certainly don't need code to do that. Similarly you don't need to be a mechanic to change oil.
  - ecounysis 14y ago
    You don't need to be a mechanic to change oil, but a small amount of mechanical knowledge helps quite a bit. I am talking about knowledge such as what is a drain plug, what is oil, what is an oil filter. Most people have at least a rudimentary knowledge of how a car works. Computing is still magic to many people, and it should not be.
    - rmATinnovafy 14y ago
      Most people don't have a clue about cars either. These are not the 80's, where most cars shared a common oil filter, used 10w-40 oil, and where very alike. Nowdays the complexity of car has turned it into "magic", too. Choosing the wrong oil weight for a modern turbocharged car will wreck the turbo and the engine. Another example is the new style of oil filters. They are cartridge style with very delicate torque specs. an over torqued oil filter housing cover will create a significant drop in oil pressure due to to a leak. Heck, even changing a tire is now a mess due to the recently implanted tire pressure systems.
    - shadesandcolour 14y ago
      Trust me I wish that it wasn't magic to people either. I need lots of hands to count the number of times I've explained some pretty basic (in my eyes) things about computers. Computer literacy is very important, but people don't seem to see it that way.
      - rmATinnovafy 14y ago
        They are taught to trust the computer. To let it do its magic. Why then, should they go and learn how it works? For what purpose? Imagine a world where people actually knew how to code. That means they would have enough skills to do basic math, and science. They would ask questions, rather than accept the answers given. They would challenge authority, rather than sit down and take orders.

by lojack 14y ago

rmATinnovafy 14y ago

As some who used to work on cars for a living, I can say that the analogy does not fit very well. Learning how to check your oil level, or even how to change a tire is more akin to learning how to install a new wi-fi dongle for your laptop, or how to install a new OS. Learning how to program the computer is akin to learning how to modify the drivetrain of the car. You modify the engine to make it perform better (versus a standard baseline) by modifying or even replacing the components of the engine. You modify your computer with code to make it perform better (again, versis a standard baseline). All computers ar equal, what differs them is the software. How each programmer can modify the order of zeroes and ones to make the computer work in a certain way. Some people go as far as creating an engine from raw materials. In computers, we know those people as the embedded folks.

agentultra 14y ago
It's just a poor analogy. The two have nothing in common what-so-ever. You do not simply modify your computer with code to make it perform better.
- rmATinnovafy 14y ago
  Yes, you do modify the code to make the computer run better, and to do things it originally couldn't do. I do agree that the analogy is not a good one.
shadesandcolour 14y ago
You interpretation of his analogy is what he wants I think. If learning how to change your oil is like learning to install that new wifi dongle, then you should know how to do that. You certainly don't need code to do that. Similarly you don't need to be a mechanic to change oil.
- ecounysis 14y ago
  You don't need to be a mechanic to change oil, but a small amount of mechanical knowledge helps quite a bit. I am talking about knowledge such as what is a drain plug, what is oil, what is an oil filter. Most people have at least a rudimentary knowledge of how a car works. Computing is still magic to many people, and it should not be.
  - rmATinnovafy 14y ago
    Most people don't have a clue about cars either. These are not the 80's, where most cars shared a common oil filter, used 10w-40 oil, and where very alike. Nowdays the complexity of car has turned it into "magic", too. Choosing the wrong oil weight for a modern turbocharged car will wreck the turbo and the engine. Another example is the new style of oil filters. They are cartridge style with very delicate torque specs. an over torqued oil filter housing cover will create a significant drop in oil pressure due to to a leak. Heck, even changing a tire is now a mess due to the recently implanted tire pressure systems.
  - shadesandcolour 14y ago
    Trust me I wish that it wasn't magic to people either. I need lots of hands to count the number of times I've explained some pretty basic (in my eyes) things about computers. Computer literacy is very important, but people don't seem to see it that way.
    - rmATinnovafy 14y ago
      They are taught to trust the computer. To let it do its magic. Why then, should they go and learn how it works? For what purpose? Imagine a world where people actually knew how to code. That means they would have enough skills to do basic math, and science. They would ask questions, rather than accept the answers given. They would challenge authority, rather than sit down and take orders.