Why code intimidates you

Danyl Fernandes
Aug 31, 2018 · 3 min read

So let’s be honest there are only three possible reasons you’re here reading this:

  • to hate on my work and call it amateurish
  • to gain some beginner insight in the realm of coding
  • to (maybe) appreciate what I’ve done here

So, no matter which line describes yourself, the information in here surely won’t hurt even if you aren’t going to take any drastic steps post reading this article. So, let’s start!

The Wrong Approach:
So one reason you don’t find coding interesting is simply because you’ve approached it the wrong way. The way we have been taught to code or the way you’ve probably learned has dehumanized coding. Coding is a language and a language is all about expressing yourself (and that shouldn’t be difficult)

Let’s say I’m teaching a 1st Grader, addition of numbers.

2 apples + 2 apples, he knows you add 2 + 2 = 4 and then add the word apples
this way I could ask him to calculate billions, simply ask him what’s
4 billion + 1 billion, he would add 4+ 1 = 5 and add the word billion, 5 BILLION!

You learn more when you learn with examples:
Say I need to teach you what variables are. So you definitely know a variable is like a storage container and the value inside it is bound to change [hence the term, variable (bound to vary)].

Now I can teach about an Integer and a Float. But before that forget about their mathematical definition for a moment so my analogy can work…
(My analogy might not be the greatest there is but I’m sure you’ll get something out of it)

So think of an Integer as a box made from cardboard, I can store solid things in it but I can’t store water in it. Now think of a Float variable as a Metal box, I can store water in this box now and I can also store what a cardboard box can store, how cool is that?

If you can speak it you can code it:

You code what you speak.

It’s actually that simple! You simply code what you speak. So, i want some condition-based output code. Let’s say we want to print, “Welcome” if the user’s age is 18 or above, if not we print, “Come back after a few years”

Your statement in plain english would be: if the user’s age is 18 or above, say “Welcome”, else say “Come back after a few years”

So, you see it is as simple as that!

Nothing worth doing is ever easy

So can you take the first step towards starting to code? Really all it takes is a pinch of optimism, a tablespoon of hard-work and motivation to taste. Start your journey today because, Better late than never. Bon Voyage!

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