Ask HN: Does it make sense anymore to teach kids HTML/CSS/JavaScript?

#1

Post by mgertner » Sun, Jul 30, 2023, 10:25 AM UTC

My 11yo daughter has started to express interest in web app development. I run a web agency and my natural inclination would be to teach her a bit of HTML, CSS and JavaScript and then help her to “learn by doing”.

Part of me, however, feels like these technologies risk becoming increasingly irrelevant. Between improvements in low-code/no-code platforms and LLMs that write code for you, I’m not sure how useful these skills will be to her down the road.

What do people think? What are the right tools and technologies nowadays to put in front of a tween interested in software development?

Re: Ask HN: Does it make sense anymore to teach kids HTML/CSS/JavaScript?

#2

Post by neverrroot » Sun, Jul 30, 2023, 10:31 AM UTC

Yes it makes, an important foundation, it will at least allow a better understanding of things.

Re: Ask HN: Does it make sense anymore to teach kids HTML/CSS/JavaScript?

#3

Post by fendy3002 » Sun, Jul 30, 2023, 10:33 AM UTC

IMO LLM won't replace developers, at least not in the following 10 years or so. Even if they're having involvement in development, they'll act as assistance tools for (senior) developers. If someone can surpass the junior title and become senior, they'll be fine.

And answering your question then yes, all javascript html and css are fundamental for web interface.

Re: Ask HN: Does it make sense anymore to teach kids HTML/CSS/JavaScript?

#4

Post by chiefalchemist » Sun, Jul 30, 2023, 10:37 AM UTC

Yes, it makes sense. She has to start somewhere. Plus an understanding of the basics certainly won't hurt.

That said, relatively, the build is the easy part. Solutions are effectively finite. What to build on the other hand? That is where the magic - or the agony of defeat - happens.

Re: Ask HN: Does it make sense anymore to teach kids HTML/CSS/JavaScript?

#5

Post by mgertner » Sun, Jul 30, 2023, 10:40 AM UTC

chiefalchemist wrote: post #4

Yes, it makes sense. She has to start somewhere. Plus an understanding of the basics certainly won't hurt. That said, relatively, the build is the easy part. Solutions are effectively finite. What to build on the other hand? That is where the magic - or the agony of defeat - happens.

Actually she has a decent idea for a web business so the plan is to get cracking on that. Seems she inherited her dad’s entrepreneurial spirit!

Re: Ask HN: Does it make sense anymore to teach kids HTML/CSS/JavaScript?

#6

Post by brudgers » Sun, Jul 30, 2023, 3:21 PM UTC

I think HTML, CSS, and Javascript is something you can do together.

She will only be 11 once.

And then not for long.

It happens fast and then is gone forever.

Her interest in doing what you do is an expression of her entering the adult world.

She is framing up her adult relationship with you.

And you are framing up your adult relationship with her (regardless of how you fell about that).

You can of course prioritize "Part of me, however, feels"

Or perhaps prioritize time with her without thinking about productivity, efficiency, or anything else besides the moment.

Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: Does it make sense anymore to teach kids HTML/CSS/JavaScript?

#7

Post by chiefalchemist » Mon, Jul 31, 2023, 10:19 AM UTC

mgertner wrote: post #5

chiefalchemist wrote: post #4

Yes, it makes sense. She has to start somewhere. Plus an understanding of the basics certainly won't hurt. That said, relatively, the build is the easy part. Solutions are effectively finite. What to build on the other hand? That is where the magic - or the agony of defeat - happens.

Actually she has a decent idea for a web business so the plan is to get cracking on that. Seems she inherited her dad’s entrepreneurial spirit!

Great! But I was also thinking problem identification, as well as problem solving.

When they say "most IT projects fail" to me that translates to "Tech built the wrong thing. It worked. But ultimately it was the wrong solution." Clients never own that, do they?

Web agencies - at least the ones I've worked for - are notorious for giving the client what the client wants, not what the client needs. This ultimately, also effective translates to "the wrong solution."