Should I learn programming is one question STEM high school students ask. That question does not have a one size fits all answer. Some argue that computer programming will become an outdated skill in the future, but not for computer scientists. The premise is that most of the common programming tasks today will be simplified to drag and drop graphical operations. Today, that is what many programmers do, code drag and drop graphical operations that represent computer programming tasks. They are in essence simplifying the coding of logical processes to the process of interconnecting logic graphically. The idea is to eliminate the need to encode or encrypt logic, human thought, into cryptic languages like HTML, JavaScript, Java, C++, Ada and hundreds of other languages and API-based data transfer and processing interfaces.
Today’s computer programmers are creating a graphical coding language that high school students can logically understand without going through the long processes required to learn the semantics of scores of computer languages. A learning task that takes years. Instead, system software simulators are used. These code or software simulators don’t require the use of cryptic code to program, but easy to relate to graphical components that suggest the business, medical or engineering process that needs to be automated.
On the other hand, basic coding skills will always be needed, kind of like reading and writing. More so, as a basic construct, like mathematics, physics, chemistry, art and handwriting. The importance of in relation to life and career will however be scrutinized. Why is good handwriting needed when everything must be typed, or why should one learn to draw if computers will do it for you? Those are not just humanistic or efficiency questions, they relate to the human spirit and how the human spirit solves problems. Making the statement that all human problems can be solved with technology and need not consider the central human element, thought, could be considered a mistake. Thought is what solves problem, regardless of the form thought takes; speech, handwritten or hand drawn.
