My last article was about 'how to learn to code' and I realised that before you actually make the decision to learn to code you have to know why you should.
Intro
This article talks about what coding means, why knowing how to code is important and why you might like to delve into the world of software development or some other field either professionally or just as a hobby, and clears up a few misconceptions about coding that might be stopping you from getting started.
What is coding
According to This article by Joshua Weinstein and Adolfo Perez-Gascon on careerkarma.com, 'coding is the process of creating instructions for computers using programming languages', which simply translates to transforming our ideas into reality with the help of machines.
Why should you learn to code?
well, ignoring how fun and exciting it is to make your ideas come to life with nothing but a couple of words (code), here are some other reasons why you should learn to code;
1. Money
Now although a lot of people say that money shouldn't be your motivation to start out anything, most people living a less than satisfactory lifestyle would argue otherwise, and I would too.
Software development has one of the lowest barriers to entry and has a high-income rate, making it perfect for people who are in need of jobs and just don't have the money to pursue formal education or the time.
2. To enhance your problem-solving skills
Programmers are required to come up with solutions for several unique and complex real life problems, they are therefore exposed to a whole new way of thinking and reasoning through this process that is not only useful for coding but can be applied in all other fields and aspects of life.
3. Opens up more possibilities
And this is the major reason majority of people are learning to code today. Knowing how to code is a huge boost to your resume and it makes you automatically eligible for some higher positions in whatever company you want to or are working for, it increases your chances of getting selected and adds to your value as a potential employee.
This is because there are a lot of things programmers can implement in any company or organisation, either small or complex that would help the company tremendously
4. An exercise in patience
While it is true that learning to code is easier compared to some other things and it doesn't necessarily require a lot of effort to get into, it isn't necessarily a walk in the park either. The best example I can use to explain this point is bugs, bugs are a developer's arch-nemesis.
You could write thousands of lines of wonderful code, and the whole thing will decide not to run because you forgot one tiny little semi-colon somewhere or some line wasn't properly indented or something like that.
It's at times like this that you have to calm down and maybe look through every single line of code to find what's wrong and well, fix it, hence the term 'exercise in patince'
5. Leave a Mark
We all know facebook right, twitter, Instagram, Google . Well all of these were made through code. Now I'm not saying that once you learn to code you automatically get injected with some kind of creative gene that enables you to make apps like these and become a viral sensation, what I am saying though is that learning to code gives you a chance at it, at leaving your own mark in the world and making an impact.
Why Coding and not anything else
Another thing coding has on all other skills to develop is that it has a very low barrier to entry. You don't need to worry about spending years taking a bachelor's degree or worry about the fees these formal degrees require, you can learn all you need to know from the comfort of your home in whatever way you choose.
Common Misconceptions About Coding
- No, you don't have to be a genius to be good at coding
- No, its not something you learn in about a week and by some kind of sorcery you become an expert at it. It requires consistency, determination and hardwork like any other skill out there that is worth anything.
- No, not all programmers are hermits who like to stay in their room all day and night and spend their whole lives doing nothing but writing code... I mean come on, just, no.
Conclusion
this article has given you a brief overview on what coding is, the benefits of learning to code(money, critical thinking, career advantages, leaving a mark), and cleared up a few misconceptions that stop some people from learning to code.
Getting started
So, you're intrigued by all the prospects that come with learning to code and you just can't wait to get started?, check out this article that gives you the top 5 things you need to know before getting started.
Parting words
Thanks for reading my article, I hope you enjoyed it, give this article a 👏 if you did and let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I'd love to connect with you on
- Twitter - @IqmaCodes
and here on hashnode too at IqmaCodes