jay-h (7/10/2013)
I disagree with the 'everyone needs to learn to program' theory as was mentioned before in the 'everyone needs to know how to fix a car' example.It would be good if people had a general knowledge of how it works in a general sense. Everyone should have a basic knowledge of first aid, but they should not attempt medicine. Everyone should have a basic understanding of law but they should not attempt to be their own lawyer. The average person should know how to change a tire, but not attempt to be their own mechanic.
The truth is, we DON'T need a universe of programmers. People need to get their jobs done (generally with applications) and it's up to the subset of the population who are programmers to provide them (just as it's up to the subset of the population that are automotive engineers and mechanics to provide viable vehicles).
Does everyone need to program? Not all at the same level no. Should everyone learn some programming skills to meet tomorrow's demands? Probably. Should anyone who wants to be encouraged to give it a shot? You bet!
Things are changing, people who want to get their jobs done might need to write a macro, create a form, write complicated formulas or code some simplistic SQL like code. What use to be only for the 'power user' a few years back has become a requirement for anyone using certain tools today. As technology moves forward the need for elementary code abilities will become more widespread.
But I agree that does not mean that everyone should strive to be a master programmer. Not all have the skill, patience, or the creativity for it. The true scientist or artist of technology works on another level that few reach. Many aspire to it but not many get there. However, that they aspire and try to get there means that they are able to do the work that the true artist does not want to do. The excel macro or simple query can be done by those with sufficient skills, let the ones who are able write the complex CLR code and .net front end. Let those who see jquery, ajax, and HTML 5 as instruments to create a symphony do so.
In fact we need them all. The more who can code the better. There is always work for them to do. And let those who can do so. It works better that way!
🙂 Miles...
Not all gray hairs are Dinosaurs!