Preface

Welcome to the world of software development! In the years that I have taught technical courses that focus on programming, I have discovered that a lot of what we learn is focused on the how or why of software engineering, but not what it is exactly. If you’re curious about the profession or about learning how to code, I have written this book for you. After completing this book, you’ll be able to answer the question, “What does it mean to be a programmer?”

Many of my students are nervous on the first day of any of my courses. They think, “We’ll be doing a lot of math!” or “I’m not smart enough for this.” For those not pursuing a degree, there’s this belief that it’s a complex subject only for college-educated individuals. It comes off as an intimidating subject, but it’s a skill that takes practice, just like any other.

I think about how these misconceptions have barred many brilliant minds from the potential of a promising career or creating something meaningful. If this has been something you have felt and experienced, it’s not your fault. You can start here.

Here are a few things I hope you consider when reading this book:

• Focus on the foundations, and you will continue to build your skills. With so much information that is easily accessible to us today, it can feel like there’s so much to learn. There is not one professional software engineer who knows everything about programming. What they do know are the basics, which enable them to learn and try new things.
• Take all the time you need to build this new skill. Be patient with your progress. Don’t compare yourself to others. This is your own path.
• Always stay inspired, stretching your imagination and creativity. Draw inspiration from Chapter 11, Stories from Prominent Job Roles in Software Development, which has incredible stories from actual software engineers. I hope some of their thoughts and challenges resonate with you.
• You can be a successful programmer without math or a computer science degree.