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>> You don't need to be a programmer to think logically. That's true. On the other hand, knowing the basics of coding makes it easier to do more even as an en
by slantyyz 14y ago
>> You don't need to be a programmer to think logically.
That's true.
On the other hand, knowing the basics of coding makes it easier to do more even as an end user. Like writing a simple macro in Excel to do something it can't otherwise do.
I see coding as a useful life skill. I know how to do simple things like change a light switch, fix simple leaks, change a tire, hem a pair of pants, make a cheesecake, etc. but I'm not an expert in any of those things, nor do I want to be. Having said that, I also know when a problem is beyond my skill and to let a professional handle it.
There's nothing wrong with coding being one of those skills.
- icebraining 14y agoBut did you learn those life skills upfront because you thought "it's important to know how to make a cheesecake", or did you learn as you needed them? Because Atwood doesn't seen anything "wrong" with learning to code; he does view learning it upfront as premature optimization: Here's a person who a) found an interesting problem, b) attempted to create a solution to the problem, which naturally c) led them to learning to code. (...) This is how it's supposed to work.
- slantyyz 14y agoAbout half of those skills were pushed on me by my parents because they thought it was important, the other half by necessity or interest. But, if I have kids, I intend to teach all of the basic skills that I can, which I guess could be seen as premature optimization.