The Language I Want to Learn Next

I was out on a date this one time and in typical Sejal fashion, I started posing random questions to get to know the guy a little better. So I asked him, “If you could learn any language, what language would you learn?” It’s a surprisingly tough question and when I’ve been asked that question, I’ve asked if I could narrow it down to a list of 5. In this instance, he picked a language (I can’t remember which one) and asked me what I would want to learn. My response: C++ or HTML or any other programming language.
It’s true! I want to learn how to code. Not because I want to become a developer–shoot, I’d probably be the worst developer out there!–but because I think it’s a valuable skill. It teaches you to think differently. It teaches you to better connect and relate and speak the same language as your technical partners. And it would help me become a better marketer, because I could come up with a mockup of what I wanted instead of just describing it. A crappy mockup, but a mockup, nonetheless. So I added it to the list: “111. Learn how to code.“

Then I stumbled across this SlideShare today–and I was sold. This SlideShare was made for me, and I plan on seeing it through…in the new year? Until then, I’ll share it with you in case you have similar aspirations and want to get a head start. Ruby on Rails, I’m coming for you (soon)!

[slideshare id=11517364&style=border:1px solid #CCC;border-width:1px 1px 0;margin-bottom:5px&sc=no] 

Oh, and in case you were wondering about his reaction, I think he was a little taken aback, in a good way. He thought it was an interesting idea and I think he was just shocked that that was the language I would want to learn. (Did I mention he was a software engineer?)