What languages do you speak?

language
Credit: Google

Soon, students may learn to code instead of taking French classes.

Because some people think that learning to code is less painful than learning a foreign language. I believe it is more useful future wise, considering the high demand of brains that can write useful applications to make our lives much more easier, but it has it’s drawbacks too.

Learning a foreign language is fun, and it is a good way to broaden your horizons. People who speak foreign languages are more valued that those who don’t, because it takes effort and time to learn them. Also courage to practice, and be willing to constantly improve yourself. In order to code, you need more patience, more focus, you need to have good math skills, to think analytically, to be able to solve problems in an efficient way.

There is a problem in our societies realated to school. Everything that is  compulsory is regarded with repulsion. For example math and foreign languages. Why should I study math, I’m never going to use these formulas in my life! I’m sorry to dissapoint you, but yes, you will use them. If not you, then someone else, who is going to build a house or roads or buildings in which you will work. Maybe someone will invent something revolutionary just because he/ she found a formula which gives amazing properties to certain substances, and in combination with some ramps and angles, will create a new device that will help a lot of people. When some people realize how important is to study math, it will be too late. Other people will be way ahead, enjoying learning and discovering new facts about our world, while other will be bored (or content) with their average lives.

School doesn’t teach us valuable thing for our future. It doesn’t open paths. It forces us to become what society needs us to become. We can’t be fully happy or good at what we do if we are forced to choose a path. That’s why foreign languages and coding should co-exist in school. Not so that children could figure out what they are good at, but to give them oportunities in life to do more things. One can be a good programmer and speak more foreign languages, or can know how to do just one. But life is much more than working for someone in order to make people happy.

Or we’ll soon end up like this:

sudo
Credit: xkcd

Becoming a Programmer

programming_oop_wallpaper_by_hexeno

I found this question on Quora and I believe that the answer of Anthony Albertorio will help many people who think of becoming programmers.

Is it too late to start programming at 17 if you want to be a top programmer?

I started programming at 22. Let’s give you a timeline.

22 – I learn what an “if statement” is.
24 – I get a job at Facebook as an analyst.
25 – I get a job at Facebook as an engineer
26 – I leave Facebook because a “side-project” Blockspring started making enough revenue that I couldn’t take it while being an employee at Facebook, I became a startup Founder. Went through Y-combinator, got several $M in funding from a top VC.

I’m still 26.

So if you’re 17, you definitely have a big step up on me. Get to it. But at the same time, there is no rush. If you’re 50, it’s not too late.

Just always be learning 🙂

Here is the full story: When are you too old to become an engineer?

If you have questions, comment or tweet at me @whatsdonisdon.

Bonus tip, if you want to know which programming skills will allow you to earn more money, read this article.