Code Coaching Ninja

CodeClan and CodeCoachingNinja are running another evening course starting 23rd of October for 9 weeks. Don't miss your chance to sign up!

Is Python The Fastest Growing Programming Language? In a recent blog post, Stack Overflow has pointed out that the popularity of Python programming language is even larger if we focus on high-income countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, etc.

It's crazy to think that before Grace invented COBOL, you actually wrote computer code (including ifs, ands, whiles and so on) with numbers... Think about that for a second the next time you cuss JavaScript :-D

Today in Mighty Girl history, computer programming pioneer Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper -- who is famously remembered as the person who taught computers to "talk" -- was born in 1906. Her desire to make computers more accessible led Hopper to invent the compiler in 1952, which allowed for the use of English instructions as opposed to numerical code that had to be interpreted by a computer. She also co-invented the Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL), the first universal computer language used in business and government.

Considered by many “the first lady of software,” Grace Hopper was a visionary who consistently demonstrated her interest in pushing boundaries and exploring new territories. As journalist Morley Safer, who interviewed Hopper for 60 Minutes in 1983, observed: "She is more than just a superb mathematical talent; it was Grace Hopper who helped teach the machines a language, stopped them from speaking in undecipherable numbers, enabled them to speak in English or French or German or whatever language you choose." She was also a mathematics professor during a time when such careers were highly unusual for women and was actively involved with the U.S. Navy for over 40 years.

Dr. Hopper was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom last month by President Barack Obama. In a speech, he commended her decades of service, observing: "While the women who pioneered software were often overlooked, the most prestigious award for young computer scientists now bear her name. From cell phones to cyber command, we can thank Grace Hopper for opening programming to millions more people, helping to usher in the information age and profoundly shaping our digital world."

Grace Hopper is one of 50 notable women featured in the new illustrated biography, "Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers," for ages 9 and up (http://www.amightygirl.com/women-in-science) and the excellent book, "Girls Think of Everything," for ages 8 and up (http://www.amightygirl.com/girls-think-of-everything)

She is also one of 26 inspiring women featured in "Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World" for ages 7 to 10 at http://www.amightygirl.com/amelia-to-zora

For a fascinating biography for adults about this technology trailblazer, we recommend "Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age" at http://amzn.to/1yxATCE

A fun way to introduce kids, ages 9 and up, to programming is via new DIY systems that allow you to build real programmable computers on your own such as the "Raspberry Pi Ultimate Set" (http://www.amightygirl.com/raspberry-pi-ultimate-set) and "Sparki: The Easy Arduino DIY Robot" (http://www.amightygirl.com/sparki).

For more toys and kits designed to encourage your Mighty Girl's interest in programming, check out the recommendations in our new blog post: "Top 50 Science, Math, & Programming Toys for Mighty Girls" at http://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=10528

Some shots from the evening class at CodeClan. I'm sure what I was explaining made sense at the time!

An article on why Python is becoming so popular, ahead of the launch of our Python evening class!

Why it's time to take the plunge into Python Python is the language of choice for many programmers, but why should you consider adding it to your skill set?