Coding is an ever-growing skill that more and more people want to learn. The demand for coders has grown rapidly in the last few years, making it an ideal skill to pick up in your spare time or perhaps as a career. There are many different types of coding out there as well, with some being harder than others – depending on your skill level. With so many people wanting to learn this valuable skill, you might be surprised to hear that there are a lot of common coding myths out there. With so much misinformation out there, it’s hard to know what’s real and what isn’t.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of common coding myths and the truths behind them. Here are some common myths about programming and the truth behind them:
Myth 1: Coding is only for Computer Science Majors
One of the biggest myths about coding is that it’s only for computer science majors. This is simply not true. In fact, coding has absolutely nothing to do with computer science. While computer science is the study of how to design and program computers, coding is actually the act of typing out instructions for computers to follow. Coding is a practical skill that anyone can learn. There are tons of different resources out there like websites, books, and even YouTube videos that teach people how to code. Computer scientists are the ones who design the hardware and software that make coding possible. Anyone can be a coder regardless of their major, as long as they have the right skill set. Coding is an important skill in any business, so don’t let the misconceptions about it discourage you from learning.
Myth 2: I have to go to a University to learn code
Some of the best developers never went to college. While a college degree is definitely a good idea if you have the opportunity, it’s not a requirement. There are a handful of online coding courses and boot camps where you can learn the basics of programming and even get a certification after a period of about 12 weeks. There are also plenty of free courses you can take online, as well as free books you can read at home. Some of the most well-known free courses are those created by Code.org and Coursera. There are also plenty of jobs that don’t require a college degree and plenty of developers with only a high-school diploma.
Myth 3: You need to be a genius to learn to code
Many people assume that you need to be a genius to learn to code. While a high IQ is certainly helpful, coding isn’t about being a mathematical genius. In fact, most computer science majors don’t become programmers at all. Most of them will go on to be computer scientists or engineers. While creating programs from scratch isn’t particularly challenging, it does take some time.
You won’t hit the ground running as a professional programmer if that’s your goal. In actuality, learning to code from scratch, even for something as simple as a snake game, can take weeks, if not months.
Coding is about logic, not math. It’s about understanding how to use a language to make a computer do what you want it to do. Sure, the math does play a role in programming, but only in the sense that you need to understand how things work. You don’t have to be a math genius to understand the logic behind coding. Learning to program isn’t so daunting if you realize that you have to put in some time to achieve it. Anyone can learn to code as long as they have the patience to put in the time to learn.
Myth 4: Programming is only for Math geniuses
One of the biggest myths about coding is that programming is only for math geniuses. Again, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The truth is that just like with other professions, computer programming has its own language. This language needs to be precise and specific. But why does it need to be so precise? Because computers don’t understand natural language like we do. If a person were to write out a program for a computer, it would be extremely confusing and almost nonsensical. Coding is about using precise language to tell computers exactly what to do. Programming is about following the rules of the language you’re writing in. It’s about typing words and symbols in a specific order that computers understand.
While it’s true that computer programming requires a certain level of mathematical understanding, it doesn’t require a lot. Computer programming uses a lot of logic and understanding. It also requires a certain level of creativity. However, it doesn’t require a lot of mathematical knowledge. Computer programmers use math in their work, but it’s not their main focus. They use it as a tool to get the job done. There’s no doubt that math skills are important in programming, but they aren’t essential. Many programmers didn’t study math in school. Some of them even failed math classes in the past. If you love math and have an interest in programming, it’s definitely a skill worth learning. But if you aren’t a fan of math and don’t understand why it’s important, don’t let it stop you from pursuing a career in programming.
Myth 5: All coding jobs require Programming Skills
Many people assume that all coding jobs require programming skills. This isn’t necessarily true. In fact, not all coding jobs even involve computers. There are many other kinds of coding that don’t involve writing code. The most common coding job is as a computer programmer. Computer programmers write code that other people use. Some people work on programming software, while others write instructions for computer systems. Another type of coding involves translating languages. At the United Nations, translation is done through coding. Translators select the right words and syntaxes for a certain language and then put them into a code. Coding isn’t just for computer programmers. There are many different types of code, and they’re all used in different fields.
Myth 6: Programmers are paid a lot of Money
The truth is that not all programmers are paid a lot of money. In fact, most programmers are paid a reasonable salary for the work that they do. While there are certainly some programmers who are paid a lot of money, there are many who aren’t. Just like with any other job, there are high-paying positions and low-paying ones. Programmers are typically paid an hourly wage or a salary. This can range anywhere from $20,000 to more than $150,000 a year. The average salary of a computer programmer is around $80,000 a year. As with any other profession, there are programmers who make a lot of money and those who are paid a fair wage for the work that they do.
Myth 7: Only men can become Programmers
Another big myth about coding is that only men can become programmers. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Anyone can learn to code, regardless of their gender. In fact, many organizations are making an effort to encourage women to enter the world of coding. This is because skills in coding are crucial in many industries. There are many people who are being paid good money to do important jobs that they can’t do without coding. There are numerous reasons why more women don’t enter the world of coding. Some of them include underestimating their abilities, thinking that it’s too difficult, or not having enough exposure to computer science and coding.
Myth 8: Coding is only for those who love it and not a Job
Some people treat programming as a hobby. They work at it in their free time and don’t expect to get paid for it. But many people treat programming like a job. They work full-time as a programmer and earn a living from it. It’s a great skill to have, and it can be a very lucrative career. In fact, with the skills that you learn as a programmer, you can get jobs in other fields as well.
Myth 9: Perfecting Programming takes months
Learning Programming takes a long time. It requires a lot of patience. You’re always going to learn something new, no matter how experienced you are. Perfecting programming is not hard, it is impossible. Make sure to accept this fact before you get started as a programmer.
Myth 10: I have learned one Language, I am a Master
As we’ve already touched on, the world of coding and programming is constantly evolving and new technologies are being created all the time. This means that there are always new skills to learn. New technologies and languages are being created every year, meaning that there are always fresh skills to learn and new jobs to apply for. This means that you don’t have to give up after you’ve learned one or two languages. You can keep learning and growing your skills as you progress through your coding journey. You might start out by learning basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and using those as your foundation. Then you can work your way up to more advanced languages like Python or C++ as you progress.
Myth 11: Learning Z, the Programming Language, is Highly Recommended
This is the only kind of truth. While many languages are in high demand, some are only in high demand among certain industries, like government or healthcare. Python is one of the most in-demand programming languages out there, but it’s definitely not the only one. Java, C++, and SQL are also extremely popular.
With the rise of technology and the need for faster systems, the industry needed a new language that could allow for faster coding. There are many reasons why so many developers came to believe this myth. Perhaps they were taught C or C++ in school, or perhaps they were working on a project that needed to be coded in one of these languages. Either way, it led to this myth becoming extremely common over the years. However, the industry has evolved since then and there are now a number of new languages that have been created that are much easier to use. These languages are easier to understand, faster to code in, and easier to debug when something goes wrong.
In fact, according to a survey by LinkedIn, programming languages are actually on the decline as a whole, at least in terms of demand. What’s on the rise, though, is demand for developers in general. And that’s a good thing. It means there are plenty of jobs out there, and new positions are being created all the time. It also means that you have more options when it comes to what you want to do as a developer.
Myth 12: Python is not a viable Language
When compared to other languages, PYTHON is just another one.
The demand for programmers with expertise in Python is expected to increase in 2021 and 2022, making it one of the most in-demand languages of the future. To top it all off, Python is one of the most flexible languages, which mean it can be used in a wide variety of contexts, including but not limited to:
- Game development
- Technology of the World Wide Web
- Scientific Study of Data
Infinite more examples…
Experts frequently suggest learning Python as a first programming language to learn due to its adaptability and easy English-like syntax.
Myth 13: It’s Embarrassing to Ask for Help
While it’s true that developers need to be comfortable asking for help when they don’t understand something, it’s also true that you’ll need to help others at times, as well. This is another one that often goes hand-in-hand with the “programming is a skill that only a few people can learn” mentality. However, most people who study programming in a formal setting will tell you that the best way to learn is by collaborating with others. Both in the classroom and in the workplace, the best developers are the ones who are comfortable asking for help and offering help to others.
Additional False Assumptions
There are others who believe that only grownups are capable of coding. Youngsters of today are also showing an interest in programming, and there are organizations that provide programming for kids with a visual introduction to programming and encourage them to pursue a career in this area. When it comes to teaching youngsters how to program, coding with Scratch and Alice is the greatest option available.
Many people are under the impression that programmers can find solutions to hardware issues. They are able to fix problems relating to computers, hack someone’s password, and perform other related tasks. Please refrain from asking them to perform these tasks and evaluating their abilities.
People also have the impression that all programmers are introverted, anti-social, and lonely individuals. To put it simply, this is not entirely accurate. A good number of programmers like spending time with their families, participating in sports, making new friends, and striking a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.
Conclusion
Ready to break out of your comfort zone and try something new? Learning to code could be the perfect challenge for you. There’s no rush, though. You can take your time and pick up the pieces at your own pace. Remember to keep an open mind, and don’t let myths and misconceptions keep you from learning something new. You can definitely do it, and you don’t have to be an expert to get started.
If you are interested in teaching your children how to code, sign up for a free trial of the program now!
By – Ms. Manpreet Virk, Head of E-learning and an educator at SkoolofCode with degree in M.Phil. and Master in Computer Science. She is passionate about learning and teaching young minds.