Why Is It So Difficult For Many To Learn Programming?

Why is it so difficult for many people to learn programming?

Introduction.

The essay title assumes this is correct. However, there is no comparison of learning programming being more difficult to learning art, music, etc. Is it more difficult to learn programming than learning martial arts for instance? The author of an article at ask-leo.com states, "How hard is it to learn programming?" is really an unanswerable question. 1

There would therefore need to be some measure of comparison to learning programming versus learning something else to be able to truly distinguish the difficulty.

Syntax and Logic.

At the very beginning, programming code appears unusual to most people. It is made up of broken non-flowing text. In addition, it is ultra specific. A command has to be completely correct and in the right place. On top of that then there is the logic of programming. This is perhaps the most difficult aspect for beginners.

The syntax of the language can be learned relatively easy. The logic is more difficult to grasp. When trying to program some logic, such as if statements, there are many variations to provide a correct solution. There are also many variations to produce an incorrect solution. This invariably leads to a feeling of frustration for the learner. Unlike learning most other things, programming tends to be very specific about the syntax of the language but very loose regarding the logic.

Grasping and developing the logic of programming is probably therefore the most challenging aspect. Unfortunately, it is at this point many beginner programmers will give up. It is unfortunate because they have not had their `click` moment - the light bulb moment when it all seems to come together.

Programming is a relatively new discipline. Electricity was invented around 1880, more than 130 years ago. The skills of a good electrician have been carved and honed over many years. Programming has been here for about 40 years and new hardware and software developments mean constant change. The programming skills being developed today might be obsolete in ten years time, thus there is a lack of consistency.

As technology develops, new and better ways to learn programming will also evolve. The logic requirement will always be there because computers are built on logic. Therefore, it may be the case that learning programming is not necessarily difficult but developing logical ways of thinking will always be difficult, at least for some people.

Conclusion.

It is not really possible with such a limited word count to delve into why programming is difficult to learn. Even the definition of difficult is ambiguous in the context of the essay title. Learning programming may not be more difficult than learning any other discipline, such as playing a musical instrument.

Much of the difference will lie in the logical aspect of computing. Computers have to be programmed precisely and, if not, they won`t work or will give a wrong result. A musical instrument might give out a slightly off note but will still complete the task.

The rapid change and development of computer technology means there are rapidly changing requirements for programmers. This means there is not a solid track record in programming techniques from which learners can utilise. Programming is a new discipline and we have not yet learned the easy way to teach non-programmers the skill of programming.

Fundamentally, as with any occupation or hobby, much will depend on whether the learner actually enjoys the process. For those that do they are much more likely to learn programming skills easier than those that get no enjoyment out of the challenge.

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