Should Everyone Learn To Code? 15 Tech Pros Weigh In On Why Or Why Not
POST WRITTEN BY
Expert Panel, Forbes Technology Council
Successful CIOs, CTOs & executives from Forbes Technology Council offer firsthand insights on tech & business.
Today’s world is growing more and more tech-driven. For example, coding is becoming a must-know for professionals in the technology industry, among others. Because of this, many new workers—whether their role is IT-related or not—are wondering if they should take the time to learn how to code.
We posed this question to the members of Forbes Technology Council. Below, they explained their position, along with how to navigate and get ahead of a tech-inclined world.
1. Coding In The Classroom Can Close The Tech Knowledge Gap
Yes, because coding will be learning a naturally spoken language, and everyone should know at least the fundamentals. We need to start the training in the public school systems so that everyone has an equal opportunity to pick up a technology language. IT experts should encourage those in the workforce to take training in learning the fundamentals of coding as well. - Abhinav Somani, Leverton
2. Tech Jobs Involve More Than Coding
Coding is a valuable skill for anyone working in tech. However, there are many roles in tech that do not require coding. These include roles in marketing, product management or project management. What's important is not just learning to code, but rather having a deep interest in technology and how it can be applied to solve problems. - Andre Yee, Triblio
3. Knowing Just A Little Can Help You Get Ahead A Lot
Coding can create amazing opportunities in your life. And you don’t have to become an expert developer to make a dent in the world. Learning just a little bit of programming opens a new world up. You can speak with software engineers in a language they can understand. This lets you explore valuable opportunities like becoming a product manager, UX designer or leader of your own tech startup. - Marc Fischer, Dogtown Media LLC
4. Professionals Should Constantly Evolve With Technology
Everyone in the technology field should learn to code. Technology is constantly evolving, and the roles that were once less development-focused are now requiring development skills. Help desk evolved into system operator, then evolved into system admin and then became SRE/system engineer, which requires some development efforts. In order to keep up with the industry, you should learn to write code. - Anthony Caiafa, SS&C Technologies, INC
5. Employees Should Know How To Leverage Data For Decisions
It's not essential for everyone to know how to code, but businesses need to help their employees incorporate data in their decision-making. This is partly about having the right tools, but it's also about ingraining a culture in which data truly informs decisions, versus cherry-picking data to support a hunch. Share examples of good data usage widely in the company to help build this culture. - Sudheesh Nair, ThoughtSpot
6. We Need More Than Computer Science Majors
Being part of tech no longer requires a desk in the IT department. Every business in every industry now relies on tech resources and support in ways that require the expertise of professionals in other disciplines. IT leaders can make tech more exciting to people from all backgrounds by emphasizing how tech has played a leading role in every human advancement from moon landings to saving lives. - Anna Frazzetto, Harvey Nash
7. Leaders Should Gain A Basic Understanding Of Coding
I'm a big believer in knowledgeable leaders, and I think it's hard to lead a tech organization without personal experience of what goes on under the covers. It's not about becoming an expert, but about gaining understanding. I've sent people to learn coding who were "afraid" and they have all come back happy they had the experience. Learning opens our eyes to be more creative in whatever we do. - Eric Braun, South Shore Innovation
8. It’s Beneficial To Develop An Awareness Of Basic Coding Framework
A practical grasp of specific coding languages is not necessary for many IT roles, since many of these roles engage in no coding at all, and instead focus on higher-order, software-level operations. However, awareness of the logic and basic framework at the foundation of all coding languages is important so that an IT team at least shares a functional understanding of how all software works. - Ron Cogburn, Exela Technologies
9. Knowing Logic Is More Important Than Knowing A Coding Language
Learning to code is like learning a language. It's necessary in some situations, and handy from time to time. Learning logic is more like learning to communicate. It's not the same as coding. Far too many technologists fail to understand how computers and code work, which is far more fundamental than the language itself. Understanding logic is not coding, but not addressed by far too many folks. - Tom Roberto, Core Technology Solutions
10. You Should Know The Limits And Benefits Of Coding To Maximize Your Role
Almost every future enterprise will be touched by code in some way. This does not require a robust knowledge base of coding, but like other foundational building blocks of math and science, a basic understanding should be had by anyone that will be touched by this. You need to be at least able to understand the limitations and the benefits of the code to maximize your role within the enterprise. - José Morey, Liberty BioSecurity
11. Low-Code Allows Everyone To Become A Developer
In the business world, app development is not exclusive to those who know how to code anymore. Low-code platforms allow anyone in a company from sales reps to business analysts to become a bona fide developer. IT experts are still involved to help create more complex solutions and develop a strategy to help the company employees be more efficient. - Katherine Kostereva, Creatio (formerly bpm’online)
12. There’s No Need To Code Unless You Love It
Learning to code these days is relatively simple. However, I'm not sure it solves any problem. What engineers and IT folks need is a real understanding of what a business person wants to accomplish. Understanding the business flow’s potential impacts on your customers is critical. You are exploring the use of tools to develop requirements and diagrams via an interactive process. - Jim Parkinson, North American Bancard
13. People Should Understand The Basics
Learning how to code isn't necessary for a lot of professionals, but understanding the basics can be beneficial to your entire team. Consider doing an internal presentation for your team to teach them the basics. Keep it simple and make sure it's easy for your nontech team members to grasp. - Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
14. Computer Science Should Be Taught In Elementary Schools
Everyone today shouldn't be expected to know how to code, but all kids should know how computer programs and applications work at a fundamental level, which requires learning how to code to some degree. If life sciences and social sciences are required in our education system, I think it's absolutely necessary to include computer science on that list. - Shawn Vo, Axle Payments
15. There Are Many Jobs For People Who Do Not Know How To Code
There is absolutely no need for every person to know how to code. Even in the IT world there are many great jobs for people who do not know how to code. There is nothing inherently valuable about coding. It's fun, but there are many paths to success. If you like it, jump in. If not, let's not push kids into something they are not interested in. - Kevin Batchelor, Complete Merchant Solutions
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only, fee-based organization comprised of leading CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Find out if you qualify at forbestechco…
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