Writing code

For the majority of computer users, interaction with a computer is limited to clicking on web page hyperlinks, selecting menus, and filling in dialog boxes. The problem with this approach to computing is that it gives the impression that the user is controlled by the computer. The computer interface places limits on what the user can do.

The truth is of course exactly the opposite. It is the computer user who has control over the computer. The user can tell the computer exactly what to do. Learning to interact with a computer by writing computer code places the user in his or her rightful position of power.

Computer code also has the huge advantage of providing an accurate record of the tasks that were performed. This serves both as a reminder of what was done and a recipe that allows others to replicate what was done.

For these reasons, this book focuses on computer languages as tools for data management.

Paul Murrell

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