Introduction
Steve Jobs was right in saying that every individual in the country had to learn ways to programme a computer as, in the long run, it teaches us to think. During the module, the Python programming language was introduced to indicate how data can be processed and visualised (Demšar et al., 2013, p. 2355). Without knowledge of a primary coding language, it would turn out to be more laborious and ineffective when analysing and obtaining meaning from data.
Steve Jobs Quote
Learning to code focusses on various factors not only about using a programming language to manipulate data but also, to create a system where critical thinking, decision making, as well as relationships between data are examined. It therefore means that for one to be a good computer programmer, the above skills have to be implemented and put to good use. The interpretation of data opens other pathways where different computer enthusiasts can create their own data forms, and manipulate them to gain results. The base case for the argument by Steve Jobs means that an avid programmer is able to think about systems, concepts and ideas that relate to data analysis and in the process, be able to solve the problems that need to be solved.
The statement by Steve Jobs, therefore, still stands as most data science assignments and duties require a set of computer programming skills (Demšar et al., 2013, p. 2354). In having the skills, an individual is, therefore, able not only to clean the data, but also to analyse it and implement the programming algorithms that are necessary. In my case, therefore, having knowledge regarding Python gives rise to a greater domain on how databases are manipulated to give rise to meaning (Demšar et al., 2013, p. 2355).
Taking the case of the Python programming language for example, engaging in studies that regard to it creates and impacts an individual with a set of skills that as more exercise is done, more data engagement possibilities are created. For example, it is through Python programming language that a programmer is able to understand the methods and forms that can be used in gaining knowledge regarding a set of data (Demšar et al., 2013, p. 2356). The relationships between data are able to be exposed as data is cleaned, and if there are missing data forms, they are noted and replaced. The functions therefore require an individual that is capable of thinking out of the box, generate ideas, confirm if they correspond with the needed results, as well as create a general and specific description of the data.
Today, learning institutions and business organisations, and technology firms have increased the demand for computer code. In many fields, the ability to perform specific tasks on data has improved the manner, in which we think and make decisions (Demšar et al., 2013, p. 2355). The complex data structures that are being generated day in day out require to be complemented with avid and sophisticated algorithms (McKinney, 2012). Just as the mind acts as a computer, and we do not try as hard to understand it, the same should be the case with data science (McKinney, 2012). Through knowing the various syntaxes of a programming language, for example, Python, the mathematical concepts that are at times predefined in the computing language change our thinking abilities in a manner as when more complex and demanding functions are used, the less effort our brains can use in solving problems (Grover, Jackiw, and Lundh, 2019, p. 106). This means that an individual without a technical background cannot view and analyse data the same way as the person who understands a coding language.
The argument by Steve Jobs therefore stands as the visualisation on the seaboards and plotting using the tableau for example, enables a person interested in data to think of the ways to handle the various mega data sets to be understood, despite the creation and development of a generalised picture of data (Demšar et al., 2013, p. 2355). But for the programming languages, such as Pythion, the exploration of in-depth data and the filtering of useful and needed information would be tiresome and maybe impossible (Demšar et al., 2013, p. 2356). Therefore, if the population is well versed with the programming languages that could create, manipulate, and implement data, then the process of generating analysis, useful for the purpose of learning and business, would not be sufficient (Demšar et al., 2013, p. 2357).
Personal Experiences
Particularly, learning Python has made it easier to quickly develop prototypes, perform data mining services, as well as be able to manipulate the platforms that are currently there on big data (Grover, Jackiw, and Lundh, 2019, p. 116). The reliance on Python is major as it promotes the environment that one is in to be more productive, organised, and result driven, making it one of the ideal languages to be used for data analysts (McKinney, 2012). The learning of computer coding, therefore, promotes thinking as there is a large community and support base, promoted by the open source language (Grover, Jackiw, and Lundh, 2019, p. 116). This means that ideas can be generated while analysing and giving meaning to either small or large sets of data.
Upon learning Python, there has been an improvement on the knowledge and understanding that I have regarding data. For instance, the ability to effectively code has increased the desire to dig deep into other interesting topics, such as Big data and Machine learning (García-Peñalvo et al., 2016, p. 19). Through diving into machine learning, it has become easier to integrate, correspond, as well as contribute to KAGGLE (Grover, Jackiw, and Lundh, 2019, p. 106). Through it, I have been able to discuss and analyse successfully the titanic disaster that took place long ago.
Skills such as problem-solving, using logical and methodical approaches, as well as the ability to model and interpret data have increased my level of mathematical and coding abilities. Through coding, the skills of developing conditional statements that can systematically follow each other and generate ideas imposed on the data, therefore, creating a system of conditional thinking (Grover, Jackiw, and Lundh, 2019, p. 108). Throughout the module, attention to detail has been emphasised and through its application to coding, has assisted in understanding what to look for in data so as to attain desired accomplishments. The same can be said about abstract thinking, which has sharpened my focus on a particular subject, project, or object.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Steve Jobs was right, noting that computer coding can teach you to think. Data analysts have to be prudent coders, who can regard data as objects that can be integrated into instructions, conditions, and sequences to be used to generate desired results. The performance of the functions means that there cannot be an effective data analyst that cannot write computer code well.
References
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Grover, S., Jackiw, N. and Lundh, P., 2019. Concepts before coding: non-programming interactives to advance the learning of introductory programming concepts in middle school. Computer Science Education. 29(2-3), pp. 106-135.
McKinney, W. (2012). Python for data analysis: data wrangling with Pandas, NumPy, and IPython. ” O’Reilly Media, Inc.”.
McKinney, W., 2010. Data structures for statistical computing in Python. In McKinney, W. Proceedings of the 9th Python in Science Conference (pp. 51-56).
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