Preparing Coders for Tomorrow
Dear Friends and Students,
This article is highly debatable, much like the age-old question of whether the chicken or the egg came first. Twenty-seven years ago, during my academic journey, I encountered a significant challenge. As part of a lab exam, we were tasked with writing a quicksort algorithm – a sorting technique used in computer programming to arrange numbers in ascending or descending order. While I understood the logic and could outline the steps in plain English, I struggled to pass the test case when it came to implementing it in C++. Regrettably, this remains a personal weakness to this day.
The mere recollection of that day still makes me break into a sweat. I grappled with the code, but the test case remained unyielding. Finally, in the last frantic 10 minutes, I transcribed the code onto paper and submitted it to the examiner. An anxious moment followed as she asked, "Will this code work?" My response, laden with uncertainty, ranged from "Yes" to "No" and "Maybe." Ultimately, I lost 15 marks due to my inability to memorize the syntax, even though I grasped the underlying logic and had written pseudo code.
It was this fear that led me to pursue a career in Pre-Sales at Wipro. However, my ability to comprehend and adapt others' well-written code to my context allowed me to excel in managing projects and even take on the role of Dev Manager. Nevertheless, if tasked with passing a test case in an examination-style coding assessment today, I might still falter. In fact, I have faced such failures in the past, and I am confident that many students studying computer science degrees share similar experiences.
The landscape of coding education is undergoing a profound transformation. Last year, when I boldly proclaimed at a conference that "Generative AI would write code in the future," I faced backlash. I also asserted that there is no need to teach "How to write code"; instead, we should focus on imparting "Code Comprehension Skills and Task Comprehension skills." These ideas were met with disagreement.
What may come as a surprise is the following statistic: "GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered code completion tool, is now being used to generate an average of 46% of the code that developers are writing. This marks a substantial increase from the 27% generated by Copilot in June 2022."
Copilot has gained popularity among over 1 million developers and has generated more than 3 billion accepted lines of code. With this rate of adoption, one must consider the necessary changes in programming education at universities and in the assessment tests for fresh graduates in coding contests.
If you visit codeium.com/playground, you can write a simple prompt (a problem statement in English), press "Enter," and watch as AI generates code for you. It supports coding in over 70 languages. In light of these developments, I propose a renewed focus when teaching and assessing computer science students:
Code Comprehension Skills (40%): This skill set involves reading and understanding code. It empowers students to maintain, extend, debug existing code, and craft new code that is efficient, reliable, and maintainable. Encourage students to read code regularly, practice coding with AI assistance, employ debugging tools (e.g., Codecheck), consult the documentation, and seek answers from AI tools like Bard, Bing chat, or ChatGPT.
*Task Comprehension Skills (40%)*: These skills encompass understanding requirements, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and identifying the necessary data structures and algorithms.
*Syntax and Writing Code (20%)*: The significance of syntax and writing code has evolved, with my recommendation being to reduce its weight to 20%. We are entering an era of Generative AI, where the emphasis shifts towards comprehension over rote memorization.
Does this approach make sense? Will it work? My intuition says, "Yes, it will!"
Best regards,
Ravi Saripalle
Note: Opinions expressed by authors are their own.
Pic credits: Pixabay
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
View Details
Like
0 Comments
Repost
You may also like
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
🎓 Top B.A. (Hons.) Liberal Arts Colleges in India (2026)
Liberal Arts education in India is gaining momentum under the NEP 2020, offering flexible 3–4 year programs, multiple exit options, and research opportunities. Here’s a comprehensive look at
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
Explore B.Tech Programs at ANITS, Vizag
Anil Neerukonda Institute of Technology and Sciences (ANITS) was established in the academic year 2001-02 with approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi,
The Art of Teaching
Published 7d+
Guiding Teenagers: Empowering Growth, Not Solving Problems
Teenagers often seem like puzzles—their behaviors, emotions, and choices can be perplexing to those who care for them. As parents, educators, or mentors, we may feel compelled to “fix”
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
Streams Available After 10th in the Indian & International Education Systems
After Class 10, students step into a crucial phase where they choose a stream that aligns with their interests, strengths, and future career goals. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the
Dr. G. V. Sridhar
Published 7d+
Q & A with the expert in ECE ,Dr. G. V. Sridhar
What is ECE?Dr.Sridhar: Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) which is one of the prominent branches of engineering. It deals with electronic circuits and communication systems. It helps
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
All About SASTRA
SASTRA University: A Premier Destination for Quality EducationSASTRA Deemed University, officially known as Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy, is a top-tier institution located
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
Top 10 High-Paying Non-Engineering Careers After Class 12: Explore Rewarding Alternatives
“Think beyond engineering — your dream career could start here.”Choosing a career after Class 12 is one of the most important decisions in a student’s life. While engineering
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
Architecture After JEE Main Paper 2: Careers Beyond Buildings
JEE Main Paper 2 is the primary gateway for students aiming to pursue B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) or B.Plan (Bachelor of Planning). While most aspirants are familiar with the conventional image of
Dr.Srinivasa Rao Allam
Published 7d+
Q&A with Prof. A.S. Rao
What is Engineering Physics? Dr.Srinivas:Engineering Physics is the study of the combined disciplines of physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and engineering, particularly computer, nuclear,
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
The Complete Guide to Medical Specializations: From MBBS to DM/MCh
🩺 Undergraduate DegreeBachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)A 5½-year professional medical degree combining theoretical learning and clinical exposure. This is
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
All About VITEEE
Vellore Institute of Technology: A Premier Destination for Engineering ExcellenceVellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a premier deemed university in India, established in 1984 by Dr. G. Viswanathan.
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
Know your College
Ascent junior college was started by a group of experienced lecturers who are best in their subjects and who have vast experience in teaching IIT JEE. They started the college in the year 2007 with the
Related Blogs
ELCSLAB @ Lendi
Published 7d+
Hyperloop: The Speed of Tomorrow
Introduction In 2016 hyperloop transportation technologies were considered by the Indian government for an organised route between Chennai and Bengaluru, with a travel time of 345 km of 30 min HTT
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
The Thirsty ChatGPT!
The Thirsty ChatGPT! Cultivate Responsible Prompt Engineering! Be Accountable for your Prompts and behind Water footprint!Dear Friends and Students,During a recent visit to a friend's home,
Sri Chaitanya Ayyagari
Published 7d+
Chemical engineering: For a better tomorrow
Role of Chemical Engineer in Pharmaceutical Industry:As the world is slowly recovering from the Pandemic of COVID crisis. We all know how much damage COVID 19 virus has done to humanity. Scientists
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Your New Co-Researcher- Boon or Bane?
Your New Co-Researcher- Boon or Bane? Productivity Enabler or Creative Loss? -Message to Researchers, Faculty, and Students!Dear Researcher, Faculty and Student FriendsThree Years back, a few students
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
The You of Yesterday Won’t Be the You of Tomorrow—How Does Your Situation Reflect That?
The You of Yesterday Won’t Be the You of Tomorrow—How Does Your Situation Reflect That?Dear Friends,Samsung's remarkable journey began in 1938 as a grocery trading business in Daegu,
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Career Path vs Career Portfolio
Are You Working towards a “Career Path” or Building a “Career Portfolio”? Time to invest in Latter! Say Bye to “Career Path”!! Read this Interesting Perspective!!Dear