3 ms·

Basically an article that says a lot without saying anything at all. Learn to code if you want to or if you need to, but stop pretending that knowing how to wri

Basically an article that says a lot without saying anything at all. Learn to code if you want to or if you need to, but stop pretending that knowing how to write some markup, trying out a REPL or writing some quick scripts will give you some mystical insight as to how software works. Then of course "coding" by itself doesn't mean anything without elaborating on the particular paradigm and language properties. At Axiom Zen we use tools such as Google Analytics for tracking interactions with our material, GitHub for internal collaboration and project management, and Intercom to connect with our users as well as monitor their use of our products. Without a foundation in coding, it would have taken me much longer to adopt these tools. Really? At best, when it comes to Git, you're just learning a file system model and basic use of a shell. Assuming you're not using a GUI or GitHub's browser interface, which is likely. I like people learning to code by their own volition. I don't like vapid fluff.

ThomPete 13y ago
I think you are death wrong about this. Learning code even pseudo code will teach you to think about how you solve something, it will allow you to think with the developer and most importantly you will be able to have informed opinions about the development phase. The world would be a much better place if more people knew about coding, what it is and what it isn't. Thats at least my experience from working with developers and being able to do some coding without ever calling myself a developer.
- JoeAltmaier 13y ago
  My sister is a nurse, and makes very similar arguments about everybody learning some biology. I imagine a physicist thinks everybody should learn about quantum mechanics. Philosophers think we need philosopher-kings; warriors want a warrior-king; and on and on. Lets let one another be; learn coding if you like, and let my sister continue nursing as she is so very capable of doing.
  - ThomPete 13y ago
    I am not a coder but I have myself benefitted from knowing about code. But you are missing the point here. Software can simulate most things in this world for that alone its very useful to understand coding. You get way more buck for your money.
  - rohamg 13y ago
    Hah! Everyone would indeed benefit from learning some biology, quantum mechanics, philosophy, and fighting! This is the principle upon which the US higher education system is based - and as someone who came to the US for higher education, I have to say it's the best setup in the world (as compared to the silo'd, short-sighted, and quickly obsolete teachings you pick up as an undergrad anywhere else). Were you kidding?
    - JoeAltmaier 13y ago
      No, not really kidding. I resent having to study some superficial biology to satisfy somebody's notion of a good rounded education. I grew up in a University town with a large teaching hospital. We had biology inflicted upon us by well-meaning folk who wrote curriculum and were all related to the University in some capacity. I'm not anti-learning. I object to somebody else dictating the set of superficial knowledge I need to learn.
      - collyw 13y ago
        Agreed, I had to learn Shakespeare and poetry in english classes at school. That has had absolutely zero positive impact on my life since then. (I was good at science and maths type things, so it was painful to learn as well as me being really bad at it. I failed the exam two years in a row.) Actually thinking back, being forced to read some books that I was not interested in (chosen by someone else), and write a report about what was great about it probably put me off reading novels for a good few years afterwards. It was a like an enlightenment when someone described a book to me that sounded interesting to me, I read it and enjoyed it (even learned from it).
      - ThomPete 13y ago
constantx 13y ago
Dead wrong. All these tools require a very different way of abstract thinking away from the usual "press this button, machine will do this", and learning how to code (one way) will trigger the right part of your brain to help using these tools more efficiently. There are many types of coders. If you're doing hardcore statistic and magic on your screen, it doesnt mean building a simple website and/or implemente a tracking call to GA (in case of a growth hacker) is any less important.

ThomPete 13y ago

I think you are death wrong about this. Learning code even pseudo code will teach you to think about how you solve something, it will allow you to think with the developer and most importantly you will be able to have informed opinions about the development phase. The world would be a much better place if more people knew about coding, what it is and what it isn't. Thats at least my experience from working with developers and being able to do some coding without ever calling myself a developer.

JoeAltmaier 13y ago
My sister is a nurse, and makes very similar arguments about everybody learning some biology. I imagine a physicist thinks everybody should learn about quantum mechanics. Philosophers think we need philosopher-kings; warriors want a warrior-king; and on and on. Lets let one another be; learn coding if you like, and let my sister continue nursing as she is so very capable of doing.
- ThomPete 13y ago
  I am not a coder but I have myself benefitted from knowing about code. But you are missing the point here. Software can simulate most things in this world for that alone its very useful to understand coding. You get way more buck for your money.
- rohamg 13y ago
  Hah! Everyone would indeed benefit from learning some biology, quantum mechanics, philosophy, and fighting! This is the principle upon which the US higher education system is based - and as someone who came to the US for higher education, I have to say it's the best setup in the world (as compared to the silo'd, short-sighted, and quickly obsolete teachings you pick up as an undergrad anywhere else). Were you kidding?
  - JoeAltmaier 13y ago
    No, not really kidding. I resent having to study some superficial biology to satisfy somebody's notion of a good rounded education. I grew up in a University town with a large teaching hospital. We had biology inflicted upon us by well-meaning folk who wrote curriculum and were all related to the University in some capacity. I'm not anti-learning. I object to somebody else dictating the set of superficial knowledge I need to learn.
    - collyw 13y ago
      Agreed, I had to learn Shakespeare and poetry in english classes at school. That has had absolutely zero positive impact on my life since then. (I was good at science and maths type things, so it was painful to learn as well as me being really bad at it. I failed the exam two years in a row.) Actually thinking back, being forced to read some books that I was not interested in (chosen by someone else), and write a report about what was great about it probably put me off reading novels for a good few years afterwards. It was a like an enlightenment when someone described a book to me that sounded interesting to me, I read it and enjoyed it (even learned from it).
    - ThomPete 13y ago

constantx 13y ago

Dead wrong. All these tools require a very different way of abstract thinking away from the usual "press this button, machine will do this", and learning how to code (one way) will trigger the right part of your brain to help using these tools more efficiently. There are many types of coders. If you're doing hardcore statistic and magic on your screen, it doesnt mean building a simple website and/or implemente a tracking call to GA (in case of a growth hacker) is any less important.