Linus Torvalds: Not Everyone Needs To Learn To Code

Should everyone be learning how to code, just like how everyone should learn how to read, write, and do basic arithmetic? Well there are some who are proponents of the idea that children these days should be taught basic programming skills, but if there’s one person who doesn’t believe in that idea, it would be the creator of the Linux kernel himself, Linus Torvalds.

Torvalds is a somewhat outspoken man and in a recent interview with Business Insider over the weekend, Torvalds was quoted as saying, “I actually don’t believe that everybody should necessarily try to learn to code. I think it’s reasonably specialized, and nobody really expects most people to have to do it. It’s not like knowing how to read and write and do basic math.”

However he notes that getting some form of exposure to it would be good, since it would allow those who have an interest to be able to identify that interest and foster that and turn it into a skill, which could ultimately lead to a career in programming. “So in that sense I think computer courses in schools are a great idea, even if I do not believe in the “everybody should learn to code” thing.”

So far we have seen efforts from developers who have created apps to help encourage children to learn about programming. Even President Obama thinks that making programming a requirement in high schools is a great idea, but what do you guys think? Do you agree with Torvalds in that programming is specialized enough where it isn’t necessarily for everyone?

Tyler Lee
Categories: General
Tags: Education