I found my interest in programming in a surprising way back in 2014 when I was 13. While in a cybercafé, I saw an ad for an article about the world’s richest people on an unexpected website ( Porn site ). Back then, advertising wasn’t as targeted as it is today. An ad for rich people’s article on a porn site says it all. This ad made me curious, so I clicked . I noticed two things: most of these rich individuals were in the tech industry, but none were black or from Africa.
Curious, I searched for any African tech billionaires but found none. This motivated me to aim to become the first African tech billionaire. I started saving money, sometimes skipping meals, to spend time in the cybercafé researching how to succeed in tech, how to become bill gate or zuckerberg. Theses researches led me to programming, which eventually became my passion. Every weekend, I would go to the this place to learn more, hoping to become a “billionaire” one day.
At its core, programming is about problem-solving. It’s a process of breaking down complex issues into smaller, more manageable parts. This approach, often referred to as ‘decomposition’ is not just effective in coding but is equally applicable to various life scenarios. Whether it’s planning a project at work, organizing a community event, or even managing personal finances, thinking like a programmer means dissecting these tasks into smaller, more achievable goals.
As a programmer, I also became familiar with the concept of debugging — the process of finding and fixing errors in code. It’s a lesson in resilience and patience, often involving repetitive confrontations with the same problem and experimenting with diverse solutions. In real life, this translates to tackling challenges with a ‘debugger’s determination.’ It’s understanding that most problems aren’t resolved on the first try and that persistence is pivotal.
In real-life scenarios, programming has empowered me to optimize resources and manage time effectively. For instance, by applying algorithmic thinking, I can sequence tasks efficiently, anticipate potential setbacks, and devise contingency strategies. Similarly, in managing personal relationships, the debugging approach aids in navigating conflicts. When misunderstandings arise, I strive to ‘debug’ the situation by identifying the root cause, exploring different perspectives, and patiently working towards a resolution. I recall a time when this approach helped me resolve a misunderstanding with a close friend, where patiently ‘debugging’ our communication led to mutual understanding. It’s also a reminder that there are multiple solutions to a problem, not just one.
Programming encourages a logical, structured way of thinking. It teaches one to evaluate situations, consider various outcomes, and make decisions based on logic rather than emotion. This systematic approach is incredibly useful in everyday decision-making for me. It also teaches me how to find efficient solutions, just like optimizing code.
In the ever-evolving tech world, programmers are required to continuously learn and adapt. This aspect of programming life has prepared me to embrace change and pursue lifelong learning in my personal life. It’s fostered a mindset that’s always ready to learn new skills, adapt to new situations, and view change as an opportunity for growth.
For me, the art of programming is more than writing code. It’s a mindset, a way of thinking, and a methodology for problem-solving that has profoundly impacted my approach to life. With a programmer’s mindset, one is equipped with tools for effective problem-solving, resilience, logical decision-making, and adaptability. Life, much like programming, is about finding solutions, and sometimes, all it takes is a bit of debugging.
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