Why learning to code is not the gateway to web3.0?
If you have been paying attention to the tech world, you may have heard “Everyone should learn to code” or a variation of this opinion.
You may have heard of the “Learn to Code” movement. This movement aims to develop skilled workers for the ever-growing coding/engineering workforce. It is backed by non-profit organizations such as Code.org, politicians, and other influential members of society.
It is not bad to push for more people to learn to code and join the coding community. They do this by funding coding challenges, coding boot camps, and providing free online programming classes. It is a great notion to encourage except for one issue – coding is regarded as the new basic skill, like writing and reading.
On the surface, this seems like a simple process: encourage more people to take up coding – provide support for people interested in learning to code – increase the software development pool.
Yet, when we take a deeper look, it is actually far from simple. The world is currently more hyper-competitive than ever. More people are devising all kinds of ways to earn money. Promoting coding as a quick ticket out of economic or financial hardship for the masses is unfair and misleading.
This article looks into what coding means and whether or not you should learn to code. We also discuss the other fundamentals necessary for coders to know, especially in this present time.
What is Coding?
Before we dive into what coding is, let us first explain what a code is. In simple terms, a code is an instruction that tells the computer how to act and what to do. Thus, coding is the process of communicating with computers through code or a series of codes.
When you learn to code, you can write instructions the computer system can understand and execute. Learning to code offers you the opportunity to create websites, process data, develop apps, and so much more.
Everything on the internet/cyberspace/interweb runs on code. Most of the technologies we use today are possible due to continuous advancements in coding languages like JavaScript, SQL, Python, etc.
Your favorite browser, your favorite social media app, your favorite online game; all of them are products of software development.
Is Learning to Code the Best Job?
Many benefits come with learning to code. Some of them include:
Increase in mental capacity
Learning to code involves problem-solving and thinking outside, above, and beyond the box. You often have to deal with processing a lot of information to create solutions.
You learn to be flexible in your thinking and efficient with your thought processes. Even just learning an hour of code daily can do wonders for your mental development.
Positively impact your career.
The coding industry has so many roles and opportunities to be taken advantage of. The demand for developers and coders keeps growing as technology keeps advancing.
There are tons of employment opportunities in app development, gaming, website development, data processing, and so on.
Financially beneficial
Financial success is significantly considerable motivation for learning how to code. On average, a coding professional in the United States makes at least $50,000 yearly. And in the tech industry, the more skilled you are, the better your chances of earning more.
Increase self-confidence
The feeling of watching a code you have written run smoothly and bring projects to life is unmatched. The excitement of accomplishment is one of the best feelings ever.
These benefits are just a few of the advantages that make coding a great career choice. With determination and discipline, you can make it in the tech industry as a programmer or developer. You might not even need a computer science degree.
It is even easier to learn to code or switch to a coding career because of the abundance of online resources. Free and paid courses, online coding classes, coding camps, and programming contests to encourage beginners.
You can even learn to code for free (for a substantial part of your early coding career).
Fundamental Technical Skills Necessary For Coding
The core of learning to code is coding languages. These languages include SQL, JavaScript, Python, HTML, CSS, Java, and C++. Each language has its use. Java is used for developing android apps.
Python is used for data analysis and web apps. SQL is used for building and managing databases. JavaScript is used to build websites.
An interesting thing to note here is that some of these languages can be interchangeably used to create similar things.
You can learn Python and use it for web development. You can use JavaScript for game development and so on. Most coders typically learn more than two languages because it enhances their overall coding capability.
Apart from knowing coding languages, there are some technical skills coders need to have or, at the very least, be aware of.
Here’s a rundown of some of these skills:
Interface Design
The appearance and feel of whatever website, app, or game you have designed are important. Users are more likely to use your product if it is aesthetically appealing.
Interface design also ensures that the ideas behind your code are of communication that clearly is in the visuals.
As a coder who has considerable knowledge of interface design, it can help to streamline your development process.
User experience Design
The end goal of most coding projects is user satisfaction. User experience design deals with understanding what users love, like, enjoy, and want. A coder who understands the importance of user experience has the edge over those who don’t.
Search Engine Optimization
SEO involves boosting search engine rankings for a product or project. It provides a way to work the algorithm in your favor when developing a website or app. In addition, the analytics provided by SEO is invaluable for software development.
Data Analytics
Data analysis deals with collecting, organizing, and evaluating huge sets of data. It requires solid mathematical and analytical skills as coding does. Assessing huge data collections will boost your programming abilities and pay off both in the short and long run.
FAQs
Do I need a computer science degree to be a software developer?
While a computer science degree can help you while learning to code, it is not necessary. Numerous self-taught developers don’t have a computer science degree. What matters most is consistency, practice, and willingness to learn.
Are coding skills beneficial for today’s age?
Yes. Coding skills are among the most important skills today. We are in the age of constant technological advancement. Hence, anyone who can contribute to the growth of tech in whatever capacity is an asset.
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Learning to Code Summary
Coding is an essential skill to have. There are so many benefits to learning a coding language or two or more.
Interface design, data analytics, SEO, etc., are all fundamentals software developers should be familiar with. However, it is highly advisable to have a basic understanding of other skills related to coding. The more you know, the better your work will be for coding and software development.
Learning to code offers numerous benefits that continually increase in value as time goes on.
Disclaimer: This article is not the official guide to the coding career process but is based on the author’s research or personal experience.
