A Question of Code

This advice is often given without thinking. But is it still valid? Is telling someone to become a developer still a good idea?

Show Notes

Down on your luck? Become a developer! Don't know what to do for a career? Become a developer! Want to earn the big bucks? "Simply" become a developer... We hear this advice all the time, but how much truth is there to it? Can anyone become a developer, and is it a good choice for everyone? And more importantly, is now a good time to transition to a career in programming?

We touch a lot of bases in this episode. We ask (again!) if there is a benefit to having a computer science degree, and touch on some hot drama™️ when Ed questions if HTML is a programming language. We also ruminate on the approachability of the frontend. Is it easier than ever to get started creating websites, and is the first-time experience better now for backenders, maybe? And how does the recent explosion in remote working affect junior developers looking for their first gig? Find out all this and more in this week's honest instalment of A Question of Code.

What is A Question of Code?

A newbie coder and a seasoned veteran discuss the questions that always come up when someone begins learning to code.

Ed is looking at getting a career in programming and has been learning to code for just over a year. During this time he’s been building up a stack of questions that keep coming up from other newbie coders. Luckily, he’s got someone he can ask for help: Tom. Tom’s a seasoned coder, having worked in the industry for a few years now and has all the answers Ed needs, or does he?