2018 In Demand Skills: Appreciating the Value of Coding

I was recently asked: "To be successful in the Digital Age do I need to understand coding?". The answer is yes. 

In the world of Digital Health, Digital Marketing and The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) understanding the basics will help you to appreciate how software, apps and websites deliver value, from medical devices and technologies through to healthcare management systems.

More insight into the 'building blocks' of the technology will allow you to participate and contribute during cross-functional meetings where strategies are discussed. Questions will be asked: "How do our products compare?"; "What do we need to do to improve our product or service delivery?".

Whether you are from sales and marketing, operations, HR, finance, or R&D being 'present', in the moment, during the discussions and offering insight will enhance your credibility. 

"Offering insight will enhance your credibility"

Coding is the basis for competitive advantage because it is the source code that 'drives' how the product functions. Improving the coding, improves the product.

"Coding is the basis for competitive advantage"

There are many books and courses on digital literacy and coding, and lots of great YouTube videos that provide introductory and advanced instruction.

Here's 10 key points:

1. Computer code is a set of statements, and each statement directs the computer to perform a single step or instruction.

2. Basic computer applications have 5000 lines of code, while more complex applications have over 10 million lines of code.

3. Programming languages such as HTML, CSS, PHP, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby are used to write code. Different languages are used for different reasons - software, app development, websites.

4. Front-end development refers to appearance, content, layout and styling using languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Back-end development refers to the logic of how and when content is shown, using languages like Ruby, Python, and PHP. Back-end also refers to the storage of any data generated eg user-generated content, preferences, and profile data, in databases like MySQL. A full stack developer is one who can do both front-end and back-end development.

5. Writing code involves following a process - researching, designing, coding and debugging. During the research and design stage questions are asked: 'What similar app/website already exists? What technology was used to build it? What features are needed? What do users value? It is at this stage that a customer/patient-centric approach will deliver the best insights. Coding then involves the front-end (appearance) and back-end (logic and databases). There are 3 common coding mistakes that require debugging: Syntax errors (misspelling of words and commands); Logic errors (resulting in unintended or undesired results) and Display errors (appearance changes across different devices, browsers and screen sizes).

6. Syntax refers to the spelling and grammar of programming/coding languages. Each language has its own rules that control which words and symbols the computer understands, which combination of words are meaningful and what punctuation is necessary.

7. Coding is used to organise text and content on a page, to add images and hyperlinks, to list data, add and structure tables, to create drop-down menus, to create and manage forms, to execute calculations, and to manage user data.

8. User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) focuses on the look, the feel and the layout of an app or website. User behaviour is researched and analysed and functionality is then coded. Competitive advantage centres around understanding end-user needs and delivering a 'value experience'.

9. Current trends in coding include developments leading to greater efficiencies, increased customisation and ease of use, enhanced agility, and across-platform interoperability.

10. Future trends will include the application of coding within the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Mixed Reality and Quantum Computing. This will see the introduction of new programming and coding languages, and as coding becomes more sophisticated there will be more specialisation.

The healthcare sector has large and complex datasets and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is revolutionising how healthcare is monitored and managed. Appreciating the value of coding in healthcare is an in-demand skill as it provides organisations with competitive advantages that deliver improved patient outcomes.

"Appreciating the value of coding in healthcare is an in-demand skill"

For additional articles go to:

Tomorrow's Jobs - What is your organisation's Digital IQ?

Tomorrow's Jobs - What is the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)?

Tomorrow's Jobs - What is Artificial Intelligence?

For further discussion phone us on:

Sydney (02) 8877 8777

Melbourne (03) 9938 7100

Or for additional insights go to one of our specialised websites:

Healthcare Professionals Group

Health & Aged Care Professionals

Pharmaceutical & Medical Professionals

Rural & Remote Healthcare Professionals

#DigitalHealth #DigitalMarketing #TheInternetofMedicalThings #IoMT #DigitalLiteracy #HTML #CSS #PHP #C++ #Java #JavaScript #Python #Ruby #MySQL #Userinterface #UI #UserExperience #UXArtificial Intelligence, #Robotics #MixedReality #QuantumComputing