Questions About Coding

[Neonatal RRT]

Am I a lazy?

In my experience, being "unmotivated" and "lazy" is more due to being intellectually unstimulated...or it is of little consequence. If something doesn't perk my interest, I would rather do nothing than pursue that endeavor. Sure...I think we all do things we don't want to do...but only because we have to.

After some 40 years in my career, I no longer find much joy in it...but I do "the grind" because I am accountable and responsible to myself, my wife...and our creditors. I can't wait to retire and have more freedom to do the things I really enjoy.

 

[Aspychata]

There is so much excellent knowledge from everyone here, l am learning about systems, etc., reading these comments. I took a small class in photoshop, and we were required to do a web page as a promo for a product as one project. Photoshop is very complex, however, learning HTML wasn't that difficult, and l had a site up and running for a family artist.

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Just today

In my experience, being "unmotivated" and "lazy" is more due to being intellectually unstimulated...or it is of little consequence. If something doesn't perk my interest, I would rather do nothing than pursue that endeavor. Sure...I think we all do things we don't want to do...but only because we have to.

After some 40 years in my career, I no longer find much joy in it...but I do "the grind" because I am accountable and responsible to myself, my wife...and our creditors. I can't wait to retire and have more freedom to do the things I really enjoy.

I worked really hard when I had my job. Sometimes I would carry multiple heavy items at once and/or walk at a really brisk pace, but there were times when it seemed like I could never shake the feeling that I was lazy. Just today, I went with my Mama to two different grocery stores, mucked the barn, checked the fence line and got the house hold laundry washed, but I still feel like I am a lazy person. I feel that way from time to time. It can get confusing sometimes. I think I just took a certain person's comments to heart too much when I was growing up and as a young adult. I also think not getting hired anywhere after so long is making it harder to resist viewing myself like that.

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Since coding doesn't seem to be a suitable short term solution in order to obtain employment over the next few weeks anyway, I looked into what would be most valuable for my long term goals. It says that Python is the most valuable for fields such as forensic chemistry or toxicology.

 

[RemyZee]

Absolutely. First and foremost because one can feel a sense of accomplishment with HTML and CSS. To get a tangible sense of where their knowledge can take them, visually and functionally speaking.

In essence, many may find it to be a fun and most of all creative hobby. When I started out learning it on my own, I never gave a thought to making a living by it. That would come later. I just had a blast making something on such a different level compared to painting or drawing.

Conversely learning Java Script without having mastered HTML seems pointless. It serves no purpose without that foundation of HTML. Making most attempts to understand it an abstraction at best, unless one already had experience in other programming languages like BASIC.


Yes and no. It is possible to learn such things entirely on your own if you're clever and bright enough.

However it may amount to a rather bold assertion in a tight labor market. Not to mention that people who desperately need a steady job may be taking an enormous risk with settling for a start-up in such a competitive industry. It's possible, but to be entirely self-taught it means both learning and mastering many disciplines of website design.

While I was already creating websites before I went to tech school for certification, in hindsight I came to understand how much more I learned formally than on my own. And the technology now is so much more complex than it was around the turn of the century. Yet while it took longer than I thought, I did get a job with a well-known corporation and product that most everyone has heard of.

It is possible. However it also means when you have to give them access to your portfolio website, and an astute employer is most likely not only to see your work, but also look at your source code. To see how sophisticated and organized your code may- or may not be. Telling them in effect what you really either do or don't know, apart from what they can see visually in terms of how creative or not you are.

If you're desperate enough, I suppose this may look attractive. Just understand that it doesn't mean you can take any "shortcuts" either. That you have to master both client and server side technologies. And you may have to learn and master some WYSIWYG apps (like Dreamweaver) in the process.

That if you tell them you're only comfortable with HTML, CSS and Java Script alone, that your interview could be rather short. And then to consider that individual employers may be dependent on certain proprietary technologies that you may have to learn on the job. Something I ran into being hired as a web designer. Which amounted to a lot of pressure to learn and implement things like Microsoft SQL and ASP at the same time. Then came Macromedia Flash...which I found very difficult, despite having been exposed to Macromedia Shockwave in tech school.

This all amounts to a commitment on the OP's behalf if she is willing to attempt this without any formal training. And it can't be approached as if it was some kind of "get rich quick" scheme. If you don't have the chops to do the job, a prospective employer will weed it out most likely through that initial interview where they take a very close look at your work.

One last thing. If the employer you interview with involves creative artwork, it means having some notable creativity in your portfolio website, requiring mastering bitmap graphics programs like Photoshop. Even more complex applications if they also expect you to incorporate multimedia into the websites you design. Incorporating graphics, animation and sound into a single website.

- Which was the job I had in the SF Bay area where employer expectations remain high to this day. I certainly didn't learn it all, but I learned enough to be functional based on my employer's demands and expectations.

I think it would be cruel to sell the idea that this is an easy "Do-It-Yourself get rich quick scheme". It's not

Not a get rich scheme, but what I did like about html for the short time I was learning about it was that it was very accessible for someone like me who doesn't necessarily get along with technology. But My short experience was that html works in ways to build on itself, starting with see Spot run all the way out to the most complex, and it was very methodical to enter into and the functions made sense--truly a language with grammar and rules. I have in my time known quite a few programmers, having spent a lot of time in San Francisco-- many of them without formal training, but just very, very smart people who love tech and are willing to be bored and with the right obsessions and problem solving abilities after growing up in the bay area. At times there were kids barely out of high school working on the most complex projects, every once in a while there would be a 17 year old vice president of a department in a software company, or just regular kids who love to tinker and have that proclivity. Many guys with long beards. Love for craft beer. Anti business suits. Nights at bars. A culture. Money to the point it is obnoxious. I could never begin to keep up with what people there were doing, but at times it blew me away.

 

[fattymeatysardine]

Since coding doesn't seem to be a suitable short term solution in order to obtain employment over the next few weeks anyway, I looked into what would be most valuable for my long term goals. It says that Python is the most valuable for fields such as forensic chemistry or toxicology.

Good choice. Python has many mature libraries for useful things.

Remember to apply what you learn constantly. A lot of writing code is experience and it's very easy to get stuck in "tutorial hell" if you have a bad approach to learning.

 

[Judge]

Not a get rich scheme, but what I did like about html for the short time I was learning about it was that it was very accessible for someone like me who doesn't necessarily get along with technology. But My short experience was that html works in ways to build on itself, starting with see Spot run all the way out to the most complex, and it was very methodical to enter into and the functions made sense--truly a language with grammar and rules. I have in my time known quite a few programmers, having spent a lot of time in San Francisco-- many of them without formal training, but just very, very smart people who love tech and are willing to be bored and with the right obsessions and problem solving abilities after growing up in the bay area. At times there were kids barely out of high school working on the most complex projects, every once in a while there would be a 17 year old vice president of a department in a software company, or just regular kids who love to tinker and have that proclivity. Many guys with long beards. Love for craft beer. Anti business suits. Nights at bars. A culture. Money to the point it is obnoxious. I could never begin to keep up with what people there were doing, but at times it blew me away.

Ironically in my case being a web designer paid more than being an insurance underwriter. Fun culture, exciting times up until the "dot-com crash". Then so much changed. Going to Seybold each year in SOMA was always fun. I didn't get rich, but I was well off for a time.

Watching AMC's "Halt and Catch Fire" sure brought back a lot of memories of those times. When the Internet for a time was like a new frontier.

https://www.amcplus.com/shows/halt-and-catch-fire--1002226

 

[Outdated]

From what I've read recently, AI companies have been buying up land all over the place but given the miniscule monetary return on their investment, they are abandoning construction plans. Private citizens are filing nuisance lawsuits for the noise alone and pressuring politicians not to fall for this dubious scheme. Public resistance is getting some traction in my state.

We've been getting similar push back here with residents in one Sydney suburb complaining pretty loudly about the constant humming noise. That didn't seem to get them very far so they changed tact, they complained about the water consumption used for cooling.

That one struck a nerve, we're a little short on water in Australia and can't afford that sort of wastage no matter how much tax revenue it generates. It became a bit of a political hot potato and now legislation is being planned to restrict where data centres can be built and they'll be subjected to rigourous environmental regulations in their plans too.

 

[717]

Since coding doesn't seem to be a suitable short term solution in order to obtain employment over the next few weeks anyway, I looked into what would be most valuable for my long term goals. It says that Python is the most valuable for fields such as forensic chemistry or toxicology.

I still insist that learning the logic is more important than learning a language...

You want something quick that you can learn in 2 weeks and can make money out of it? maybe wordpress is the deal for you, if you can pitch a sale and hit the right price, maybe you can find enough clients to keep you going...

 

[Judge]

Since coding doesn't seem to be a suitable short term solution in order to obtain employment over the next few weeks anyway, I looked into what would be most valuable for my long term goals. It says that Python is the most valuable for fields such as forensic chemistry or toxicology.

You've posted your sentiments about math, which always catch my eye as I too hold very similar sentiments. Which makes me wonder if you ever took chemistry in high school. The math that was involved was something I wasn't prepared for. I struggled for three semesters before finally withdrawing before a "D" could impact my GPA. Made me sad thinking of how much fun I had with a chemistry set as a kid...

Hopefully this won't intimidate you as it did myself. Though I just wasn't sure if you were aware of this or not about chemistry. Meteorology turned out to be tough for me as well in college. Though I did well in climatology taught by the same professor. Go figure. (I minored in geography).

Ironically in hindsight I could have taken high school physiology and probably would have done quite well with it. (I made straight "A"s in biology).

How Much Math Is in Chemistry? Understanding Its Role Across Branches and Careers

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

I'm nervous about the amount of math in the program. There were some mathematical formulas involved in the Biowork Certificate that I did earlier this year. You had to be able to calculate things like flow rates as well as doing measurement conversions. I was scared about the test that included those parts but scored really well after all. I'm currently trying to review math. I've already reviewed percentages and am currently working on algebra. I think I have the basic algebra caught back up for the most part. In fact, I took two short assessments on it and got every question right on both of them. If it does turn out to be too hard, I could switch majors after the first semester or two and let chemistry be my minor instead if I understand correctly.

 

[Judge]

I'm nervous about the amount of math in the program. There were some mathematical formulas involved in the Biowork Certificate that I did earlier this year. You had to be able to calculate things like flow rates as well as doing measurement conversions. I was scared about the test that included those parts but scored really well after all. I'm currently trying to review math. I've already reviewed percentages and am currently working on algebra. I think I have the basic algebra caught back up for the most part. In fact, I took two short assessments on it and got every question right on both of them. If it does turn out to be too hard, I could switch majors after the first semester or two and let chemistry be my minor instead if I understand correctly.

Sounds like you have a plan, which in the big picture is likely the most important thing IMO.

When I applied to tech school for web design, I was informed there was an hour-long evaluation test all prospective students had to take. I was so concerned about it I ended up going to the library to look up high school education books pertinent to basic algebra and quadratic equations I learned in middle school. After all, I hadn't had to deal with any of that as an adult! But I'm glad I did.

I ended up scoring well...at least they shared that much with me. But I could certainly relate to you post.

In hindsight I think that test was just a way to substantiate having a GED level education as a benchmark for the program in general. Which seemed reasonable, though I don't recall having any part of the curriculum that required such math skills either. Not even Java Script.

 

[NTsister]

I am starting this thread in response to a suggestion on my profile by @Aspychata . I don't know what to learn or if I even need to. What is coding even about apart from building a computer from scratch or developing a website? It seems like a lot of job descriptions claim that knowing how to code is a plus and it doesn't always make sense to me that it would be. There are so many coding languages. How do you even know where to start? How many does a person need to know? Why does a person need to know them? I've tried some lessons before, but one of the apps I was using was discontinued and I dropped out of the other program. The app was teaching something called JavaScript. The other program also had JavaScript; but additionally, it had another course where I was learning how to read binary. Where would you even use any of this in real life? Within the program you just put the JavaScript code in and it draws a picture or in the case of the binary code it had me figuring out what was wrong in a line of code that caused an imaginary malfunction and I actually got that answer correct at the time, but what do you do with it when you are not inside a training app? Where do you even input it? Why do you need to write code to draw a picture when you can do the same without writing code? I don't understand tech hardly at all. Sometimes looking at this stuff makes me feel like I am not really smart after all.

 

[NTsister]

I am starting this thread in response to a suggestion on my profile by @Aspychata . I don't know what to learn or if I even need to. What is coding even about apart from building a computer from scratch or developing a website? It seems like a lot of job descriptions claim that knowing how to code is a plus and it doesn't always make sense to me that it would be. There are so many coding languages. How do you even know where to start? How many does a person need to know? Why does a person need to know them? I've tried some lessons before, but one of the apps I was using was discontinued and I dropped out of the other program. The app was teaching something called JavaScript. The other program also had JavaScript; but additionally, it had another course where I was learning how to read binary. Where would you even use any of this in real life? Within the program you just put the JavaScript code in and it draws a picture or in the case of the binary code it had me figuring out what was wrong in a line of code that caused an imaginary malfunction and I actually got that answer correct at the time, but what do you do with it when you are not inside a training app? Where do you even input it? Why do you need to write code to draw a picture when you can do the same without writing code? I don't understand tech hardly at all. Sometimes looking at this stuff makes me feel like I am not really smart after all.

This is so relevant to what’s on my mind! Don’t worry; YOU ARE SMART (I can tell by your questions) and you don’t need to learn how to code. Skip the next paragraph if you don’t care about my backstory.
As an undergraduate, I graduated in 1978 with a double-major in Computer Science and Psychology. I accepted a Programmer position at the HQ of a very large insurance corporation. Luckily, the high demand and short supply for programmers meant my company was exceptionally decent towards women (LIKE YOU) who were SMART. I was good at programming (aka “coding”) and great at trouble-shooting programs with problems that had bugs, really enjoyed it, made good money and was happy.
Fast forward to 2025: I’m volunteering to assist with a group of middle school girls in an international club called Girls Who Code (GirlsWhoCode.com). We do a lot of fun tech activities but emphasize social-emotional development (aka friendship / community) and building confidence (aka self-esteem). Ironically next week, I will be explaining why we’re NOT learning how to code! NO Python, Java, C++, SQL, R, etc. Why not? Because AI does most of the coding now, so please don’t pay no mind to coding.
p.s. However, next week, I will be explaining that AI is a double-edged sword — it has pros and cons, plus it’s too new to the general public and will never be perfect. So I’m creating a fun activity on Tech Security and Privacy.

 

[NTsister]

It depends on the job, but in most cases it's not actually on the prerequisites list for hireability.
It's just that Google searches say that it gives you an edge. The type of coding is not always specified either. For example, I saw a cart pusher job that wanted you to be able to code. I don't know why you would need to code just to gather carts from a store parking lot. The library applications don't seem to mention coding in particular - just a WPM (which I have learned means words per minute) for typing. At one point, I thought that it was too late for me to ever obtain a scientific job and so was looking into Graphic design because I thought it would utilize my photography, calligraphy, and possibly even poetry skills. When I looked into it, you are supposed to know programming. That seems sad because I wanted to use my actual photography and hand written calligraphy not have some code spit out a photo. That is why I studied JavaScript some because it was recommended as being good for graphic design jobs. Now that I am hoping to be able to get a science job eventually, it is still supposed to be advantageous to know a computer language.

May I suggest that you leave Google.com and take control of your personal information when you’re online with DuckDuckGo.com instead? Start protecting your privacy and safety, because tracking, hacking, scamming, etc. is getting worse daily. Just a suggestion!

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

May I suggest that you leave Google.com and take control of your personal information when you’re online with DuckDuckGo.com instead? Start protecting your privacy and safety, because tracking, hacking, scamming, etc. is getting worse daily. Just a suggestion!

Google is what my phone comes with. How would I use a different search engine and what is the difference?

 

[Judge]

Google is what my phone comes with. How would I use a different search engine and what is the difference?

Learn how to change your search engine - Android Help

Google is more invasive of your privacy compared to other search engines.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Protection Explained - In-Depth Guide - UMA Technology

 

[Judge]

I just finished up converting a movie soundtrack on video to a 21 tracks of MP3 audio files. Taking me a little over three hours. Involving several steps of copying, pasting and modifying a sound file to fit my own personal tastes. The same typical things we geeks do quite repetitively- and methodically over, and over and over again. Hopefully without errors. It's what's required to get the job done, whether for yourself or an employer.

The process reminded me of something I usually don't give a thought to. The repetitive nature of creating things on a computer. And an oversimplification of what I'm doing:

In this particular instance, having to copy and paste a URL from a browser, into a program I configured to convert a particular sound track it into an MP3 file. Then once it's saved as an MP3 file, I go into my file manager and rename the file. Then I open the file in Audacity to modify the actual music. Saving it in accordance with many particular aspects of audio files. Then I open the MP3 file into Audacious, a simple media player to simply add song information as follows:

- Track Title
- Artist Name
- Album Name
- Album Artist
- Comment (Source: Digital/CD/Vinyl/Cassette....etc.
- Music Genre
- Year
- Track Number

One I save that into the MP3 file, the track is moved into the folder that names the album in question.

I would never call what I was doing as "mindless keystrokes". That would be a serious misnomer as whatever you're doing, computer programming and such seldom allow for errors. Yet I had to do the same things (oversimplified in this post) over and over and over again. And of course, to always get it right.

For some of us, particularly those who may have comorbid OCD, this is the sort of thing that can be an asset for us in so many ways. Requiring knowledge and technique, but also extraordinary concentration, and the will to do the same thing over and over without it becoming obnoxiously irritating.

I've been doing this for decades...it's what I do and who I am. Perseverance, patience and concentration. That some of us for whatever reasons have such attributes, while some of us don't.

For anyone looking into such kind of work, I think they really have to think about whether or not they possess such attributes to really make it in a competitive work environment. Regardless of all the technical details and mechanics of programming or graphic design or much of anything else that inherently requires so much attention to detail.

So, if you've managed to read this to this point, here is my real question: Can one "learn" things like perseverance, patience and intense concentration ? I'm not so sure.

Sometimes I just see myself as a bit of a freak to not only do this sort of thing, but also to enjoy it.

 

[717]

I just finished up converting a movie soundtrack on video to a 21 tracks of MP3 audio files. Taking me a little over three hours. Involving several steps of copying, pasting and modifying a sound file to fit my own personal tastes. The same typical things we geeks do quite repetitively- and methodically over, and over and over again. Hopefully without errors. It's what's required to get the job done, whether for yourself or an employer.

The process reminded me of something I usually don't give a thought to. The repetitive nature of creating things on a computer. And an oversimplification of what I'm doing:

In this particular instance, having to copy and paste a URL from a browser, into a program I configured to convert a particular sound track it into an MP3 file. Then once it's saved as an MP3 file, I go into my file manager and rename the file. Then I open the file in Audacity to modify the actual music. Saving it in accordance with many particular aspects of audio files. Then I open the MP3 file into Audacious, a simple media player to simply add song information as follows:

- Track Title
- Artist Name
- Album Name
- Album Artist
- Comment (Source: Digital/CD/Vinyl/Cassette....etc.
- Music Genre
- Year
- Track Number

One I save that into the MP3 file, the track is moved into the folder that names the album in question.

I would never call what I was doing as "mindless keystrokes". That would be a serious misnomer as whatever you're doing, computer programming and such seldom allow for errors. Yet I had to do the same things (oversimplified in this post) over and over and over again. And of course, to always get it right.

For some of us, particularly those who may have comorbid OCD, this is the sort of thing that can be an asset for us in so many ways. Requiring knowledge and technique, but also extraordinary concentration, and the will to do the same thing over and over without it becoming obnoxiously irritating.

I've been doing this for decades...it's what I do and who I am. Perseverance, patience and concentration. That some of us for whatever reasons have such attributes, while some of us don't.

For anyone looking into such kind of work, I think they really have to think about whether or not they possess such attributes to really make it in a competitive work environment. Regardless of all the technical details and mechanics of programming or graphic design or much of anything else that inherently requires so much attention to detail.

So, if you've managed to read this to this point, here is my real question: Can one "learn" things like perseverance, patience and intense concentration ? I'm not so sure.

Sometimes I just see myself as a bit of a freak to not only do this sort of thing, but also to enjoy it.

That sounds interesting, 2 questions here:

Why you start with an MP3 file instead of a format that is uncompressed and lossless?

And more interesting... how do you modify the music? like, what you change in it?

 

[Outdated]

Why you start with an MP3 file instead of a format that is uncompressed and lossless?

In a great many videos the soundtrack is already in MP3 format, MP3 is the soundtrack segment of an MP4. A video editor like KdEnlive can lift that out for you.