Page 15 - Eagle Eye Spring 2022

Why you should learn to code!
By Flt Lt Adam Coates
Coding is a skill that is in short supply across the UK. It is difficult to understand how, when coding is so much fun. When you strip back the geeky stigma what you are left with is an activity packed full of creativity, problem solving, challenge and reward. This is the very reason why the NCGI Coding Club (NCGI CC) was created, don’t let the name put you off; the club is open to anyone within the MOD.
What is NCGI Coding Club?
The NCGI CC is a space on Defence Connect to provide tutorials, challenges, and a community for people to discuss coding topics. That community is growing week upon week with over 50 members at the time of this article. Flt Lt Adam Coates (RAF, Pathfinder), Harriet Phillips (Civil Service, Pathfinder) and Cpl James Smith (Army, 42 Engr Regt) came up with the idea of starting a community through a shared love of code. Coding is an extremely useful
and enjoyable skill and the desire
to make this skill accessible to the
wider military community was a
driving force behind the initiative.
The absolute beginner can find
our custom Python tutorials that
will guide you through learning
this new skill using simple terms
and examples. You don’t even have to install anything, everything we do can be completed in a Google browser at home or on MODNet. If you already have a proficiency in coding and you want a space to share ideas or tackle a few fun challenges, then you can find that too. The NCGI CC presence on Defence Connect provides a great platform for discussion with links to useful resources.
Why should i learn to code?
There are many reasons to learn a coding language such as Python. Do you repeat the same tasks or workflows on your computer routinely? Python can be used to manipulate things like Microsoft Excel spreadsheet data to produce graphs and other data visualisations, create and edit Microsoft Word documents and even split and merge PDF files. Outside of the workplace coding is a fantastic creative output. Have you ever wanted to make your own version of the classic mobile game, Snake? The answer is probably, ‘of course!,’ and you’re in luck. I’ve just done it and can
tell you how to as well. There’s a catch though. You’ll have to join the NCGI CC!
Isn’t coding just more time infront of a screen?
We spend so much time looking at screens these days
and predominantly we do that
in a consuming manner either watching television, films,
playing computer games or
on social media. Coding is a great way to make screen time more constructive and creative. We have an area of the club exclusively for Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi is a Cambridge based organisation that creates inexpensive micro-computers that you can use to create physical projects such as remote- control cars, nature cameras or even a video doorbell powered by the code you will learn. The Raspberry Pi section of the NCGI CC provides an array of resource material to get started. A great aspect of Raspberry Pi is its accessibility for adults and children alike, why not start a new hobby. Those with families can include their children, learning together whilst creating games or robotics. It really is so easy to get started especially with a community to share the experience. You can make a start by scanning the QR Code in this article or searching on Defence Connect for NCGI Coding Club. We look forward to coding with you.
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