#Learn how to write computer code code
Just a few years ago I was using Objective-C now I code almost entirely in Swift. Technology changes at a rapid pace in this industry. He knew that banging out code would not solve the problem, but cool, collected problem solving would.Īn excessive focus on coding ignores the current plight of existing developers. He did not write code until minutes before the deadline. He used almost all the allotted time to think about the problem. Meanwhile, my friend wrote his code only after thoroughly understanding the problem.
The year my friend won the championship he learned something: even those from elite schools dove headfirst into complicated problems, with code as their only weapon. This friend told me that even in the elite schools, students read the prompt to the coding problem only once then immediately code. You must ask yourself, “Do you even have one?” and “Can you apply the Feynman principle and explain it in a way that others can understand you?” The greatest thing he taught me about his ACM championship days was the importance of understanding what problem you’re trying to solve. I have a close friend who is a former Association for Computing Machinery International Collegiate Programming Contest champion from Stanford. If we let ourselves become fixated on how to solve a problem via code, regardless of if it is a programming problem or not, and lose sight of why, we gain nothing. I would no more urge everyone to learn to program than I would urge everyone to learn to plumb.įocusing on coding inflates the importance of finding the “right” method to solve a problem rather than the importance of understanding the problem.īefore we start working on a solution to a coding problem we must decide what the problem is - and if it’s truly a problem. The same could be said of many other skills. But only in the right context, and only for the type of person willing to put in the necessary blood, sweat and tears to succeed. I would no more urge everyone to learn to program than I would urge everyone to learn to plumb.ĭon’t get me wrong I do believe that engineering and programming are important skills. While our culture tends to make Silicon Valley sexy, and glossy bootcamp brochures promise well-paying jobs, the truth is that many of these institutions are not accredited, do not post job statistics and do a poor job of ensuring their students’ post-bootcamp success. While many coding bootcamps are legitimate and care for their pupils, an even greater number are run by modern snake-oil salespeople tapping into the average American’s desperation. Despite this growing buzz, I view bootcamps with intense skepticism. Individuals are actively encouraged to do so from all sides of society, from Hollywood to current tech luminaries. Inexplicably, it is not just bootcamps and politicians encouraging people to learn to code. Coding fever has even reached the steps of the White House, with President Obama pushing for legislation to include computer science in every public-school curriculum. The American public is amazed by figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, who make millions seemingly overnight. HBO’s Silicon Valley paints a picture of late twenty-somethings spending their nights coding and smoking weed, all whilst making millions of dollars.
#Learn how to write computer code software
Since the mainstream learned of the success of Silicon Valley software engineers, everyone wants to own a startup or become an engineer. Selling coding as a ticket to economic salvation for the masses is dishonest.
We live in an ultra-competitive world, with people turning to all sorts of methods to make ends meet.
There may be some truth to that, especially since the United States’ need for engineers shows no sign of slowing down. Politicians, nonprofit organizations like and even former Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City have evangelized what they view as a necessary skill for tomorrow’s workforce. If you regularly pay attention to the cultural shenanigans of Silicon Valley, you’ve no doubt heard of the “Learn to Code” movement. There’s an idea that’s been gaining ground in the tech community lately: Everyone should learn to code. But here’s the problem with that idea: Coding is not the new literacy. He was once referred to as "the Daft Punk of people," a phrase whose meaning eludes him to this day, but which he's pretty sure is a compliment. Besides GPU processors, robits and AI, Basel enjoys learning about computer science, astronomy and philosophy.
Basel Farag is an iOS Engineer (he thinks).
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