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Do I have to learn how to code during High School if I want to work in CS field?
I want to study math in college.
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6 answers
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
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Dan’s Answer
No, you do not have to learn to code during High School however the earlier you start coding, the more competent you will be. Think of it like playing video games. When you first start playing, you can't go fast enough, can't avoid taking "hits", and you get killed a lot. Right? But the more you play, the better you get and eventually you can anticipate problems and you start finishing at the higher levels. Software coding is the same. The more you play, the better you get and the sooner you start, the sooner you get good. So starting to code in High School will cause you to be better in college which allows you to learn more easily and at a deeper level. This means you should be better than other college students who didn't have the head-start which ultimately puts you in a better position when interviewing for your first professional job.
Note: There are free software compilers available on the internet. Microsoft has free versions for C, Java, and Visual Basic. For about $10-$25, you can purchase an microcontroller Arduino kit (www.aliexpress.com for the best prices) and write software to control lights/motors and read temperature/proximity sensors. For about $30-$100, you can purchase a Raspberry PI (programmed in Python) which is really a small PC but can be programmed/configured for many different applications such as video tracking, media center, old fashioned gaming machine, web server, etc. So in addition to taking classes in High School, you can also learn these things on your own. It gets addictive and is a lot of fun!
Some suggestions:
1) Your High School should offer software classes, consider C, Visual Basic, or Python.
2) There are plenty of free online coding tutorials and classes available on the internet.
3) You local community college should offer software classes and also allow High School students to take them for actual college credit!
4) Learn on your own with an Arduino or Raspberry PI board (or write code to run on your personal PC).
Take software classes at your high school, consider C, Visual Basic, or Python.
Work on the free online software classes and tutorials.
Check with your local community college about taking software classes while in high school.
Learn on your own at home with the Arduino or Raspberry PI board (or write code to run on your personal PC).
Note: There are free software compilers available on the internet. Microsoft has free versions for C, Java, and Visual Basic. For about $10-$25, you can purchase an microcontroller Arduino kit (www.aliexpress.com for the best prices) and write software to control lights/motors and read temperature/proximity sensors. For about $30-$100, you can purchase a Raspberry PI (programmed in Python) which is really a small PC but can be programmed/configured for many different applications such as video tracking, media center, old fashioned gaming machine, web server, etc. So in addition to taking classes in High School, you can also learn these things on your own. It gets addictive and is a lot of fun!
Some suggestions:
1) Your High School should offer software classes, consider C, Visual Basic, or Python.
2) There are plenty of free online coding tutorials and classes available on the internet.
3) You local community college should offer software classes and also allow High School students to take them for actual college credit!
4) Learn on your own with an Arduino or Raspberry PI board (or write code to run on your personal PC).
Dan recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for your advice. Although my high school does not have many options for learning computer languages, I will consider taking some classes from CTY at Johns Hopkins University.
Yuto
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. There are different kinds of programming languages for different purpose, e.g. Web, apps, ERP, Real time programs, games, etc. It depends on what kindly of program you would like to code.
However, there are plenty of resources online on different program language you can read. You may start with web or apps programming. The most important is you have to learn the programming language and start to coding. You can do some simple program logic first and then continue with complex ones. E.g. you can try to program the movement of a robot cars, etc.
Practice makes perfect!
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
However, there are plenty of resources online on different program language you can read. You may start with web or apps programming. The most important is you have to learn the programming language and start to coding. You can do some simple program logic first and then continue with complex ones. E.g. you can try to program the movement of a robot cars, etc.
Practice makes perfect!
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Thank you for your response. I will start with something simple as you suggested.
Yuto
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
I didn't! In High School I only took an introductory course on programming and that's when I decided I wanted to do this for my career. I went to college and got my degree in Computer Science. This is where I primarily learned to program. While I did learn a lot about programming from college, I was actually hired out of college coding in a language I learned over the summer.
I think the key goal here is if you have the drive and willingness to learn, you should do fine. I would start by looking at places you want to apply and see what programming languages they use. You can find this type of information on career sites. After that you can start learning about the programming language. I would also say it's very important to have a solid understanding of algorithms and best practices for structuring your code. To me, this is most important. Having this solid baseline will help you out tremendously. This is harder to teach/learn then it is to actually learn a programming language.
Good luck and best wishes!
I think the key goal here is if you have the drive and willingness to learn, you should do fine. I would start by looking at places you want to apply and see what programming languages they use. You can find this type of information on career sites. After that you can start learning about the programming language. I would also say it's very important to have a solid understanding of algorithms and best practices for structuring your code. To me, this is most important. Having this solid baseline will help you out tremendously. This is harder to teach/learn then it is to actually learn a programming language.
Good luck and best wishes!
Thank you for your response. I also think that understanding algorithms is important. I also enjoy logical thinking which I hope will help to understand computer programming in the future.
Yuto
Logical thinking is a great skill and will definitely help in this field. I would checkout Project Euler. It's a site that challenges you with problem solving tasks and helps you stay sharp!
Jonathan Y
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Yuto S. Thanks for your question. Love the fact that you are thinking ahead!
I don't think that you **have to** learn how to code during high school in order to work in the computer science (CS) field. That said, in general terms, the earlier you are able to start and the longer you stick with it, it is likely the better you will be at it. If your goal is to know just enough to get by, you can wait, even until after you have secured a job and learn coding as a hobby. If, however, your goal is to get a job in the field, then you should know that if you decide to also major in CS for college, you will be doing a good amount of coding. In general, college courses go pretty quickly. Often times, professors/teaching assistants make assumptions about the level of knowledge students have in their class. Your stress level in a CS class can be minimized if you have exposed yourself to programming languages prior to starting college.
Also keep in mind that there are many, many private businesses and technical colleges AND online entities that begin to teach young people to code...at as young as 5 or 6! With the newer tools and methods to learn coding, more and more young people are learning, sharing, participating in "hack-athons" (which I think is a cool way of describing an afternoon of coding with friends :D).
When you start, how much you practice and how you keep your coding skills fresh is an individual choice. Hope this answer is helpful in guiding you to a plan that works for you. Best of luck to you!
I don't think that you **have to** learn how to code during high school in order to work in the computer science (CS) field. That said, in general terms, the earlier you are able to start and the longer you stick with it, it is likely the better you will be at it. If your goal is to know just enough to get by, you can wait, even until after you have secured a job and learn coding as a hobby. If, however, your goal is to get a job in the field, then you should know that if you decide to also major in CS for college, you will be doing a good amount of coding. In general, college courses go pretty quickly. Often times, professors/teaching assistants make assumptions about the level of knowledge students have in their class. Your stress level in a CS class can be minimized if you have exposed yourself to programming languages prior to starting college.
Also keep in mind that there are many, many private businesses and technical colleges AND online entities that begin to teach young people to code...at as young as 5 or 6! With the newer tools and methods to learn coding, more and more young people are learning, sharing, participating in "hack-athons" (which I think is a cool way of describing an afternoon of coding with friends :D).
When you start, how much you practice and how you keep your coding skills fresh is an individual choice. Hope this answer is helpful in guiding you to a plan that works for you. Best of luck to you!
Thank you for your response. I will think about starting something while I am still in high school so that I am less stressed out in college.
Yuto
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
If you want to earn a degree in computer science, a minor in mathematics will add value to your degree.
That said, it is imperative to get yourself prepared for college. In your case, take as many math courses as you can in high school. If possible, take the AP math courses up to Calculus BC.
As far as coding is concerned, it is not a necessity to learn it in high school. Nonetheless, it does not hurt to start early on. It should be appreciated that coding is a language in its own right – communication with a computer. Just like any language, the more you use it and practice it, the better you are with it.
Lastly, in the same token, mathematics is a language too. It is a very precise, concise, logical, and symbolic language. Mathematical skill and coding skill will probably go well together.
That said, it is imperative to get yourself prepared for college. In your case, take as many math courses as you can in high school. If possible, take the AP math courses up to Calculus BC.
As far as coding is concerned, it is not a necessity to learn it in high school. Nonetheless, it does not hurt to start early on. It should be appreciated that coding is a language in its own right – communication with a computer. Just like any language, the more you use it and practice it, the better you are with it.
Lastly, in the same token, mathematics is a language too. It is a very precise, concise, logical, and symbolic language. Mathematical skill and coding skill will probably go well together.
Thank you for your advice. I actually plan on majoring in pure math in college. So I am taking extra courses in math now.
Yuto
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Answers
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James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Yuto,
Do you need to master coding in high school to secure a career in the Computer Science (CS) field?
While it's not a strict requirement to learn coding in high school for a career in CS, it's certainly advantageous. Starting early can give you a head start and a competitive edge. Here are some key points to ponder:
Why Learn Coding in High School:
1. Building a Solid Base: High school coding lessons can help you establish a firm grounding in programming concepts, problem-solving abilities, and logical thinking, all of which are vital for a CS career.
2. Discover Your Passion: Early exposure to coding lets you explore various programming languages and technologies, aiding you in finding your niche within the expansive CS field.
3. Stand Out from the Crowd: Coding skills on your resume can impress college admissions officers and potential employers, demonstrating your commitment and enthusiasm for technology.
4. College Preparedness: If you're considering a college major in math with a CS focus, coding knowledge can be beneficial as many math-related fields increasingly demand computational skills.
5. Broaden Your Career Horizons: Although not all CS jobs require extensive coding expertise, being proficient in programming expands your career choices in areas like software development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more.
Alternatives to High School Coding:
If you choose not to learn coding in high school, there are still opportunities to acquire these skills later:
1. College Courses: Many colleges provide beginner-level programming courses for students with no previous coding experience, enabling you to start learning at a more advanced stage.
2. Online Learning: Numerous online platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Codecademy offer coding tutorials and courses for beginners, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits you.
3. Bootcamps and Workshops: Participating in coding bootcamps or workshops during college vacations or summers can also be an efficient way to gain coding skills.
In summary, while high school coding lessons aren't a hard-and-fast rule for a CS career, they can significantly enhance your academic and career trajectory by equipping you with valuable skills and growth opportunities.
Top 3 Credible Sources Referenced in this Response:
1. Harvard University - Computer Science Department
2. Stanford University - School of Engineering
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Department
These sources were used for their scholarly expertise and insights into the significance of coding skills in the CS field.
Stay blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Do you need to master coding in high school to secure a career in the Computer Science (CS) field?
While it's not a strict requirement to learn coding in high school for a career in CS, it's certainly advantageous. Starting early can give you a head start and a competitive edge. Here are some key points to ponder:
Why Learn Coding in High School:
1. Building a Solid Base: High school coding lessons can help you establish a firm grounding in programming concepts, problem-solving abilities, and logical thinking, all of which are vital for a CS career.
2. Discover Your Passion: Early exposure to coding lets you explore various programming languages and technologies, aiding you in finding your niche within the expansive CS field.
3. Stand Out from the Crowd: Coding skills on your resume can impress college admissions officers and potential employers, demonstrating your commitment and enthusiasm for technology.
4. College Preparedness: If you're considering a college major in math with a CS focus, coding knowledge can be beneficial as many math-related fields increasingly demand computational skills.
5. Broaden Your Career Horizons: Although not all CS jobs require extensive coding expertise, being proficient in programming expands your career choices in areas like software development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more.
Alternatives to High School Coding:
If you choose not to learn coding in high school, there are still opportunities to acquire these skills later:
1. College Courses: Many colleges provide beginner-level programming courses for students with no previous coding experience, enabling you to start learning at a more advanced stage.
2. Online Learning: Numerous online platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Codecademy offer coding tutorials and courses for beginners, allowing you to learn at a pace that suits you.
3. Bootcamps and Workshops: Participating in coding bootcamps or workshops during college vacations or summers can also be an efficient way to gain coding skills.
In summary, while high school coding lessons aren't a hard-and-fast rule for a CS career, they can significantly enhance your academic and career trajectory by equipping you with valuable skills and growth opportunities.
Top 3 Credible Sources Referenced in this Response:
1. Harvard University - Computer Science Department
2. Stanford University - School of Engineering
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Department
These sources were used for their scholarly expertise and insights into the significance of coding skills in the CS field.
Stay blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.