Why could programming be a useful skill?

Answer 1

Efficient programming means a lot of different things to a lot of people, and is typically subject to requirements.

For example, for an application intended for use on a very resource limited phone, memory footprint is very important.

On the other hand, many algorithms offer a choice between speed and size: an application with a small memory footprint might need more processing power (or time) to complete a certain task, compared to an implementation that invests into a larger footprint under otherwise comparable circumstances. When both size and speed matter, efficient programming is about finding the perfect compromise.

Software can be efficient in many other ways, too. It can be easy to maintain, it can generate its own documentation based on in-line documentation generation techniques, it can be self-explanatory, and so forth.

While efficient programming means different things to different people and in different circumstances, inefficient programming is almost never the right thing to do. The software design decision, therefore, never is whether to program efficiently or inefficiently; the decision is where to accept inefficiency to some extend in order to boost another aspect of programming.

Answer 2

Helps you avoid bugs, helps others understand and maintain your program. Your program will be READ many many more times than it is written, so saving time of the reader is overall a big savings.

Answer 3

How to write computer code or perhaps how to put together an evening's television viewing.