6 ms·

most people can learn to drive, learn another language and learn to cook. a much smaller number of people can learn to code competently.

angersock 13y ago
We should at least give them a shot and a nudge in the right direction, hey?
rjtavares 13y ago
A much smaller number of people can learn to drive like a professional driver, speak another language fluently, or be a restaurant chef. Coding isn't isn't really different from those other activities: you should learn the basics, because it will help your life, and leave the complex stuff to professionals.
walid 13y ago
Trust me, I don't cook competently, but I live alone and can get food done when needed. We don't all have to be professionals at something but we need to understand it especially when our lives depend on it. Take medicine for example, I'm also not a doctor but that didn't stop my school from forcing me to learn biology (which I loved btw) and I think we should all know things about the world when we deal with them on a daily basis. I also didn't major in electronics but I still know better than showering and cleaning the innards on the hair dryer with water while it is plugged in. It is the mentality of imperative knowledge that should be considered when talking about teaching programming. Not the idea that all people should know how to compile Linux.
- mathattack 13y ago
  You caught my spirit perfectly. A little biology knowledge can help interacting with a doctor. It's silly to assume people should know how to compile their operating system, but an appreciation and understanding for how data is aggregated and manipulated is useful.
whathre9 13y ago
Only a small number of people might be coding competently currently, but that doesn't mean only a small number CAN. There is nothing special about programming; like learning a language, it is very possible to become competent, and anybody who is not mentally delayed can do so - it just takes effort. If you can code competently well done, but don't think yourself special.
- bobbbinsIII 13y ago
  coding competently requires intelligence and attention to detail. you need to be smart not just "not mentally delayed".
  - mathattack 13y ago
    Not everyone needs to code competently. Just like not everyone needs to speak Spanish competently. (Or can learn other languages competently) But... Learning a little Spanish can increase one's appreciation for Spanish culture. Even attempting to learn some programming can make one much more effective when they hire or direct a programmer, or engage in discussions about online privacy, or ask someone to help analyze a problem.
  - aim-120 13y ago
    Exactly. http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2004/09/skill-disparities-in-programming.html http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2004/09/skill-disparities-i...
bobbbinsIII 13y ago
somewhat strange that this was downvoted. some people are obviously incapable of facing up to reality.

angersock 13y ago

We should at least give them a shot and a nudge in the right direction, hey?

rjtavares 13y ago

A much smaller number of people can learn to drive like a professional driver, speak another language fluently, or be a restaurant chef. Coding isn't isn't really different from those other activities: you should learn the basics, because it will help your life, and leave the complex stuff to professionals.

walid 13y ago

Trust me, I don't cook competently, but I live alone and can get food done when needed. We don't all have to be professionals at something but we need to understand it especially when our lives depend on it. Take medicine for example, I'm also not a doctor but that didn't stop my school from forcing me to learn biology (which I loved btw) and I think we should all know things about the world when we deal with them on a daily basis. I also didn't major in electronics but I still know better than showering and cleaning the innards on the hair dryer with water while it is plugged in. It is the mentality of imperative knowledge that should be considered when talking about teaching programming. Not the idea that all people should know how to compile Linux.

mathattack 13y ago
You caught my spirit perfectly. A little biology knowledge can help interacting with a doctor. It's silly to assume people should know how to compile their operating system, but an appreciation and understanding for how data is aggregated and manipulated is useful.

whathre9 13y ago

Only a small number of people might be coding competently currently, but that doesn't mean only a small number CAN. There is nothing special about programming; like learning a language, it is very possible to become competent, and anybody who is not mentally delayed can do so - it just takes effort. If you can code competently well done, but don't think yourself special.

bobbbinsIII 13y ago
coding competently requires intelligence and attention to detail. you need to be smart not just "not mentally delayed".
- mathattack 13y ago
  Not everyone needs to code competently. Just like not everyone needs to speak Spanish competently. (Or can learn other languages competently) But... Learning a little Spanish can increase one's appreciation for Spanish culture. Even attempting to learn some programming can make one much more effective when they hire or direct a programmer, or engage in discussions about online privacy, or ask someone to help analyze a problem.
- aim-120 13y ago
  Exactly. http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2004/09/skill-disparities-in-programming.html http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2004/09/skill-disparities-i...

bobbbinsIII 13y ago

somewhat strange that this was downvoted. some people are obviously incapable of facing up to reality.