(JaiChai) Learning to Code — Focus on the “Why” instead of the “How”
IMHO, the best way to learn coding is to focus on the “Why” instead of the “How”.
Make it personal.
Focus on creating a program that solves a problem; better yet, a problem that’s been a personal thorn in your side.
In other words, make your foray into the world of programming “Personally Purpose Driven”.
Concentrate less about the mechanics (syntax, logical flow of operations and proper documentation — aka “notes”- to aid in future upgrades and debugging) and more about solving a problem.
I bet that MANY others are dealing with the same problem.
Learning to code is a difficult and highly individualized journey; a journey that most never attempt, or if tried, discarded quickly for more immediately gratifying paths in life.
Even if you don’t aspire to run the gauntlet at Google or Apple and get a VERY HIGH paying programmer position, I recommend learning the basics for everyone.
Why?
Because learning the basics teaches logic, the limits of real communication between humans and computers, the why and how of fixing common problems by yourself, why coders are scarce and highly paid (especially Functional Programming Specialists), the reason why things get hacked (spoiler alert: There is no such thing as perfect code!) and so much more.
But the big hurdle is the intimidation factor.
Here’s a secret:
Every field of study tries to out do the others by using their own weird, specialized language.
For most sciences, it’s based on Latin.
For math, it’s the accreditation of the inventor of the calculation, formula or theory.
But for programming, the language is based on historical computer science icons, as well as terms from all the known sciences MIXED with today’s current memes!
My advice?
Don’t let any “Specialty Language” fool you into believing it’s really THAT special.
IMHO, it’s just a means of inclusion and exclusion.
[Side Note: That’s why I’ve always tried to conquer the Tower of Babel and learn as many human languages as possible. Luckily my daughter and I pick up new languages easily; especially if we are visiting the region that speaks it.]
Okay. Back on topic: Learning to Code.
Setup an account on GitHub.
That way, you can search if anything resembling your prospective program has already been written, download the code, see if parts of it can be useful for your program and have a ready outlet for archiving and presenting your creation to the world.
Additionally, if you pursue a programmer job, you already have a finished project on GitHub attesting to your experience.
Wow! I just scratched the surface on this huge subject of learning how to code and this post is getting too long to be tolerated by most.
TLDR:
“Make it personal. Have a purpose. Ignore the rhetoric and snobby specialty terms. Record everything on GitHub and most of all, HAVE FUN being a creator!”
May you and yours be well and love life today.
In Lak’ech, JaiChai
(Jaichai 11 OCT 2021. Simultaneous multi-site submissions posted. All rights reserved.)
