6 Programming Myths Everyone Would Have Heard Of
Debunking Common Misconceptions About Programming
Cover Photo by Leone Venter on Unsplash
The art of programming has plenty of theories and myths about it. Many see it only as work for the very gifted; the process, methodical, the rewards, glorious—only a career path for geeks, or the mathematically inclined, and work not tolerant of faults.
In this post, we'll test, discuss and correct these misconceptions about becoming a programmer and may provide some solace to individuals who are unsure if programming is the right career choice for them. If you have any other myths to contribute to this list, please leave them in the comments area below.
Myth 1 - Be an Intellectual. Be a Mathematician.
This is the most critical misconception to counter–the myth of an entitled mind. There's no special thing your brain needs to become a programmer.
Programming, like singing a song or running a sprint, is a talent. You'll get better at it if you do it. By putting in the time and effort. By observing and learning from others. It's a skill that grows and develops as you accomplish more and put in more productive effort.
When you see a coder who can accomplish great things with a computer, it's always the consequence of them putting time and attention to their trade. It's not some natural ability or heavenly inspiration that they were born with.
Let's speak about math too. While mathematics is at the center of programming, you don't need it in your day-to-day life. Most of the programming languages used currently for most jobs are high-level languages. They are similar to human languages to numbers, and they don't need any special knowledge of arithmetic.
Programming is much more like writing than doing calculus. If you're good at math, it's going to help you solve some problems quicker.
Myth 2- I Have to Go to University to Do Well in Programming
They believe that in order to enhance your kung-fu code, you must follow the guidance of a real master. And at the very top of that ladder is a professor's mark (which is about as high as you can go in your studies of anything). However, due to the Internet, you will learn how to program from kind and knowledgeable programmers, with no assistance from university instructors.
Choose a beginner course on interactive learning platforms like Codecademy, or read tutorial sites like Nettuts+ that have crystal clear explanations in both text and video formats. Do you have a question and want a direct answer? Stack Overflow and Stackexchange are the best friends of yours. Google searches will help you make the right connections. I'm not saying that universities can't teach you anything. There is no question that a professor or lecturer will speed up the comprehension of ideas and topics such as object-oriented programming.
But whatever direction you chose, it's essential for you to develop the ability to self-learn as, unlike most sectors, programming is always changing at a very fast pace, and only you can determine whether you can keep up.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Myth 3 - I Am Woman. I Can't Code.
This should be self-evident. But it has to be spoken. A programmer does not have to be a male. And, while males continue to make up the majority of programmers, this is hopefully changing fast.
Any company with intelligent leadership understands the value of gender-diverse workforce. It is not just beneficial for "equality" (which is sufficient), but gender-diverse teams make better judgments and are less likely to be prejudiced.
Gender has no bearing on how excellent a programmer you can be. There is no other chromosomal or brain structure that is more suitable. Programming is primarily concerned with problem resolution. And in order to address a problem effectively, we need as many views as possible.
The girls in my class have dominated us in all math and science topics, and my development profession has further confirmed this belief. Women have and always been at the top of the influential programmer lists; here is a short list for you,
- Ada Lovelace was the first programmer in the world.
- Grace Murray Hopper developed the first compiler for programming language.
- Adele Goldstine help created the world's first electronic digital computer.
- Jean E. Sammet developed FORMAC programming language, a variation of FORTRAN.
- Marissa Mayer was one of the earliest programmers in Google.
Myth 4 - Language X is Better
There isn't one magic language for all of coding. Instead, every language occupies a special niche in the coding world. That doesn't imply certain languages aren't great at one thing than another-you might be using JavaScript for immersive applications, but C++ if you want to do something fast. Developers, keep bickering amongst yourselves; there's no one perfect language.
Myth 5 - A Developer's Career is Over at 35
True, there is ageism in the programming world, but age is not what terminates a career. Individuals who are stuck in one language or who are unable to master new platforms and technology contribute to their own decline. This is not to say that engineers should quit technology entirely; instead, some may move into managerial positions or establish their own firms. Others continue to learn and love their development positions, and it's simply an issue of staying current.
It's never too late to learn something., never too late to make a career change. However, a business that only wants to hire young people is probably not a good place to work. If you need some more inspiration, check out this article about the developers who had their first tech jobs in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
Myth 6- Programmers are Antisocial
You may have heard that programmers are emotionally stunted introverts who spend hours with a machine and a bag of Lays chips. Nevertheless, today's programmers typically communicate frequently with team members, project managers, and end-users. This is how they collect information about the software that needs to be developed.
Most workers spend most of their workdays communicating through their computers and other electronics. So, programmers really aren't all that different.
##Conclusion I hope this article can help you crack misconceptions about programmers and growing barriers to entry. If you're fascinated by programming, I hope you give it a go.
Ignore the self-doubt that falls under the umbrella of one of those obstacles that we believe are in our path. Programming is complex and requires a lot of hard work. Yet, everything about it is made up of knowledge that anyone can acquire if they persist.
Life can be tough, and it can put a lot of hurdles in our path. The goal is to react to these challenges and find a way around them. So, at the very least, let us clear our route of any debris that isn't a genuine impediment.
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