Learn programming
illustrated by xkcd comics
One of the most discussed questions is if it is necessarily to know how to code, because, at first glance, it seems to be complicated and scrupulous occupation, but rather promising and nontrivial. The market offers a lot of mobile applications and online resources such as Codecademy, Codeschool, Scratch, Code.org to become familiar with basic algorithms and machine thinking at any age. And matured programmers and professors try to ensure doubted one to make an appropriate decision by arguments which are provided below:
- Programming helps to think creatively in terms of problem solving;
- Programming is a basic literacy;
- Programming enhances attention;
- Programming allows create and promote ideas;
- Programming is a skill “for sale”.
The article reveals programming in terms of five real life examples, which could be another worth arguments for learning how to code.
Example 1. Programming in the kitchen
Programming could be applied to everyday cooking and personalized applications really simplifies the process of looking for the best recipe or technology of cooking if you are an amateur or even a professional cook.
Here is a real case how to use programming skills in the kitchen:
“Dealing with cookbooks and food magazines for recipes was really annoying, so I wrote a recipe app that gradually expanded into something that makes our grocery list for the week as well. This saves us literally hours per week, and helps us try things that looked interesting once, but aren’t in one of our “favorite” cookbooks.”
Example 2. Programming and Excel spreadsheets
Tasks in Excel usually require working with huge collections of data and copy-cut-paste process could be infinite. Visual Basic could be used to automate the workflow and operate faster, less mistakenly with values. Combination of pretty simple and many-sided tools, such as Excel and Visual Basic, definitely, will bring satisfaction from well done work.
Example 3. Programming and secured access
There is a need to make up or enter existing password several times per week while using any service. However, it is better to write a specified password generator password generator according to your personal preferences. Or programming skills could be used to make the security system more complicated as well.
Example 4. Programming at school
Students deal with quadratic equations, finding the greatest common divisor and least common multiple and many other mathematical problems which could be easily solved by simple, short code, for example, on PHP. Knowledge of any programming language teaches how to work with repeatable data in a more effective and programmatic way.
Example 5. Programming and comics
Another example is about the most important and demanded skill ever — sense of humor. You should know programming to understand at least XKCD comics, as it is a truly significant skill in retrospective analysis and, moreover, might help further in communication with nerds and geeks.
Conclusion
It is pointed out that programming is not only the essential tool for personal development, i.e. improving memory, attention, literacy, problem solving techniques etc, but also is very useful in daily life routine. Nevertheless, you come up unintendedly with customized ideas, which are going to simplify your life. But before getting such a significant output and return on your time, there should be hours of practise and a strong understanding of how the system works. No doubt, that the benefits from programming are applicable not only to machines, but they also influence the way of thinking in general.
Originally posted: “Learn programming”.
Image credits: XKCD comics.
