This isn't really a comment on the whole article, but instead on that top point about the fire hydrants. In that sort of situation, I think this is just something that shows a lot about human nature. Not so much the power of code, but instead the power of easily and quickly getting people information about how they can improve the world around them. I'd assume most people are willing, able, and probably would go out and "fix/check" a utility near them, if they had the instructions and the authority. With these apps, people can get fast easy knowledge, the authority to do them, and the knowledge that it needs to be done. I have a feeling that it is easy access to those things that stop a lot of people from doing good deeds. How often do you walk by trash and not pick it up because it feels wrong, or it feels like you are stepping on other's authority/screwing with other's property? How often do you not fix a handle by screwing it back in or similar?
Short answer: no. A lot of what you're reading about 'code literacy' is due to a few startups creating a lot of buzz coupled with a lot of people getting excited about it. That isn't to say that some form of 'coding literacy' isn't useful in a lot of ways, but it's nowhere near being as universally required as something like 'computer literacy'. It's more about programmers loving and thinking about programming and not understanding why non-programmers don't. It's a bit of a bubble, something that everyone does. Accountants think accounting is super important and everyone could benefit from an accounting education, mechanics think mechanics is important and everyone could benefit from knowing a bit about mechanics, ad naseum. Everyone is seeing it from their perspective/bubble. It'll die down eventually once people start realizing they can't do the things software developers do by following code academy. What you'll find is that some people will be successful using code academy, but most won't. Not because code academy sucks, but because the people don't really want to put in the time or effort necessary to be effective with programming (not good, just effective for the sort of work they do). Think about what it takes to have a deeper understanding of accounting. Now consider whether or not you really want to go through that effort, or would rather learn enough about it to understand it and then pay someone else to deal with the details.
First-year (freshman) West Point students (called plebes btw
) are required to take a programming/coding/computer engineering course for a full year. They're trained on a learning-friendly combination of Java and Python called Jython. So according to the US Army, apparently coding is a new literacy:D sidenote: I hadn't heard of Jython prior to visiting WP. Are you familiar? If so, I plan to get crackin' this summer on learning code and I'm wondering where the best place is to start.
Jython isn't a 'learning-friendly combination of java and Python', it's an implementation of the Python programming language for the JRE (Java Runtime Environment). What this means is that normal Python compiles down to a set of ptyon opcodes that are executed by the python runtime, but Jython instead compiles down to a set of JRE opcodes (so does Java normally). if you're not familiar with the idea, think of compiling as translating from 1 form to another. In this case opcodes are performant because they can be optimized for machines to read instead of people (in a nutshell, lots of details missing).
Well we teach children how to read and write language...on computers. Why not teach them how to read and write computer... for computers. http://www.codecademy.com/ I started there with no coding knowledge and learned a little bit of HTML and CSS. Next up is Java. It's really kind of fun! edit fixed link, thanks eightbitsamurai!
gonna check that link when I get home, it better be free.. I plan to dig in to learning code this summer among some other things. Thanks for the resource!
Also check out http://coderdojo.com/ if you're under 18 and need someone to help you code... in real life. That's where I learnt to program and the learning model is really cool, each dojo has a group of mentors to show you how to code, and once you get the hang of it you show other kids how to code, they use coloured USB belts as incentive for the last bit. the atmosphere is very relaxed, it gives you alot of freedom depending on which one you go to. they're a non-profit, all the buildings, equipment and mentor time is donated so going is free, but the main reason I go is to meet other people who can code and show those who don't know how. :)
Oh god, human interaction? shudders. Haha I'll give it a try I'm sure I'll need some deeper guidance and the motivation seems great too. Thanks!! edit: oh wow this is literally a brick-and-mortar place. Cool..