Summary
Is programming right for me?
Will I like coding?
Asking yourself these questions and answering them honestly may have you thinking twice.
The reality: some people just hate coding.
You Lack Experimental Creativity
Despite its foundation in logic, programming is very much a creative art.
A new program is like a blank canvas.
Your paintbrushes and palette of colors are languages, frameworks, and libraries.
You need a vision for your creation and the creativity to bring that vision to life.
There are many ways to code software; you should be willing to experiment.
Without a natural sense of curiosity, you’ll develop tunnel vision.
You’ll have a hard time coming up with new ideas.
You Aren’t Independently Driven
You won’t be successful in anything unless you’re incredibly driven.
That’s a universal truth, but it’s especially true in programming.
A good programmer is able to motivate themselves.
Peel back all the other layers; programming, just like any trade, is fundamentally repetitive.
You have to be able to solve problems using your initiative.
A lot of new problems will resemble the problems from last week.
They just solve the problem and prepare themselves for the next one.
Because of this, youll find the solutions to some problems by working on others.
Experienced programmers will gain a wealth of knowledge over time.
You have to be passionate in your drive to seek these recurrences and patterns out at every opportunity.
Tomorrow, things will be easier as a direct result.
You’re not at a disadvantage if you weren’t an A+ student in school.
You do, however, need the ability to solve problems using logical, algorithmic thinking.
Do you have a natural fascination with puzzles?
Are you inquisitive and eager to learn why our digital world works the way it does?
If not, you’re going to find yourself frustrated when you run into these pillars of the craft.
They should intrigue you.
If they don’t, you may want to reconsider.
Much of the intellectual payoff that programming offers comes from solving a puzzle.
The more complicated the puzzle is, the more rewarding it feels when you finally crack it.
Perhaps you’re working on a web app, and you could’t quite get a framework to cooperate.
Maybe your latest project uses Python and youve spent ten yearsmastering Java.
How do you overcome these challenges?
There’s no master handbook to pop open; the answers must be sought after of your own volition.
All you have is code documentation, Google, and the drive to ask the right questions.
It’s not always the brainiest developers who end up being the most successful.
It’s the ones who understand how to break down problems and build the pieces back up into solutions.
You Prefer Normal Work Hours
Programming jobs are flexible.
Some jobs in tech will have you work on-site in an office.
Some allow you to work remotely.
In either case, a successful programmer needs to be dedicated.
To get all of the necessary work done, developers often invest plenty of personal time into their work.
Even freelancers have to grind through long hours to stay ahead of the competition.
And when do you finally get off the clock?
Coding is a labor of love.
So, if you hate programming, it will be tough to survive the continuous grind.
You’re Focused Primarily on Salary
Programming can provide a good living, there’s no doubt about it.
Can youmake a lot of money as a programmer?
As technology evolves, so too does the developer’s required knowledge base.
New workarounds, solutions, workflows, syntax… the list goes on.
Community support is extremely helpful when it comes to crossing bumps in the road.
Just like writers block, even professional coders need some help to get them through the rough patches.
In this regard, the opportunity to reach out to experts who can assist you is invaluable.
I Don’t Like Coding.
What Should I Do?
Learnhow to script, learn a language, learn from programming books.
Anything that broadens your understanding of the craft will help you decide, and this takes time.
If you’ve already got the degree but discovered coding is not for you, dont worry.
There are plenty ofnon-programming jobs for computer science graduatesthat you’re free to consider.
It’s entirely possible to be a talented developer and still not find a perfect fit.
In our bustling world, leaders who understand the intricate process of programming are always in high demand.
