Introduction
Elon Musk has become a world-renowned entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. The founder ofTesla and SpaceX, he is often credited with revolutionizing the transportation, energy and technology sectors. But before he gained his impressive achievements and titles, Musk was just a kid wanting to learn how to code. Fromthe early 1980s to the 1990s, he taught himself how to code from home, devouring books from the local library and bookstores. What books did Elon Musk read to learn coding?
Early Years
When Musk was just 10 years old,he read his first book on programming by Omnibooks. He was fascinated with computers and started to teach himself on how to program them. He continued this talent by attending a programming course at the University of Pretoria where his mother was a professor. He would also participate in International Olympiads for physics and coding demonstrations as a young student.However, it was at the library and bookstores where Musk would spend hours reading and learning how to code.
Books Musk Read to Learn Coding
Frombooks written by Dr. Dobb’s to those introducing computer manuals, Musk read anything that could help him further develop his coding skills. Here are some books that Musk read to learn coding:
- Dr. Dobb’sJournal of Computer Calisthenics and Orthodontia by Dr. Dobb’s
- Adventures in C Programming by Stephen Prata
- Data Structures Through C by Yashavant Kanetkar
- Computer Lib/Dream Machines by Ted Nelson
- Assembly Language Programming for the 8088 by David Agans
- Structured Programming by Harold J. Rood
- Computer Organization and Design by David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy
These books gave Musk a strong foundation in the fundamentals of coding. With his knowledge inprogramming, he was able to design software programs while in high school. His work would soon gain the attention of provincial universities where he was invited to play computer gaming tournaments.
Programming Languages Taught by Musk
Muskwanted to prove to the world that he was more than a mere successful computer programmer. He also taught himself different programming languages such as:
- C++
- Objective-C
- PHP
- Java
- JavaScript
- Perl
- Ruby
These programming languages gave Musk a comprehensive insight into the world of coding.
Musk Innovativity and Influence
In 2003, Musk had all the necessary tools needed to develop and launch his first startup, the now famous PayPal. Soon followed the birth of Tesla and SpaceX, which would lead him to becoming the entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist he is today. Musk’s genius and coding knowledge were integrated into both founding companies, leading to their immense success. His innovations continue to be an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and computer coders.
Computer Science Education
Today, Musk is encouraging people to invest in computer science skills and learning how to program. According to him, it is essential to start mastering coding from a young age to gain a thorough understanding of the integrated systems of technology. Musk is a firm believer that coding knowledge will help individuals succeed in their respective careers and fields of expertise.
Conclusion
Musk’s journey of self-taught coding has led him to becoming the illustrious entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist he is today. With his exceptional knowledge of programming, he has been able to revolutionize the technology, energy, and transportation sectors. His list of books read to learn how to code is also a testament to how one’s immersive passion and desire to learn can eventuate in immense success.
Opportunities for Coding Education
In today’s world, coding is a highly valued and respected skill. Organizations, both profit and non-profit, offer coding classes, seminars, and workshops to enhance computer science skills. These are great ways to promote the art of coding and its uses.
School Coding Programs
Schools have integrated coding into the curriculum, following the trend set by Musk and other technology industry leaders. More and more schools are teaching coding as a compulsory subject, as well as offering elective coding courses. It has been argued that this type of formal education will open more opportunities for future generations.
Online Courses and Platforms
The internet has expanded coding knowledge and capabilities, offering a variety of online learning platforms and tutorial resources. These digital hubs have made coding and programming approachable to both novice and experienced coders.
Software Development Careers
Software engineers and software developers are two of the most popular jobs in technology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a software developer is over $90,000 per year.This has seen an increase in the number of people pursuing careers in software development and coding with Musk as an inspiring role model.
Professional Coding Certification
Companies and organizations are looking for individuals with coding skills and certifications. Certifications validate a person’s skills and prove that they have the necessary abilities to excel in their programming and coding qualifications. That is why Musk highly suggests to acquire as many coding and software certifications as possible.
