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How Programming affects the brain

Programming in a way is the process of creation or the solving of a certain problem. The

creation of programming dates back to the 19th century when mathematician Ada Lovelace

created an algorithm for Charles Bbage’s Analytical Engine, which is considered the first

computer. Although the first actual programming language was first developed in the 1950s

(Mohindroo, 2023). Many can see programming as a form of art as everyone knows that not all

art is the same. Like artists and painters, some programmers might replicate things that are not of

their own creation (Heidi, 2019). When many see this they think programming or programs can

be copied, This is not true as programming are innovators innovating or creating new ideas

(Bogatinov, 2023). While codes and programs can be copied they will never fully replicate the

original. Hence this is why people happen to innovate new things when programming (Lomas,

2014).

According to studies the optimal age for kids to start programming is around the age of

six to seven (GEEKedu, 2022). As technology advances, it is important for young people to start

at a young age similar to starting reading, writing. Programming or writing code at a young age

can help the children gain logical thinking skills, innovative ideas, creativity and problem

solving skills (Moniz, 2023). With these gained skills children are able to gain an advantage on

their studies and overall will help with their mental health (Kennedy High, 2020). Studies have

also shown that rewards help students learn and thrive through their studies per each student that

was rewarded through a reward system (Renard, 2020). With the implemented system it was

shown that kids were more motivated to start programming by showing them results,

encouraging them and rewarding them (Hirschhorn, 2023).

With programming you solve problems or create new things but you might be curious

that there must be factors that can affect your brain or intelligence levels such as reasoning,

working memory and self-control. Normally these factors can contribute to academic or career

success as they also play a vital role in your mental and physical health (Robo Wunderkind

Team, n.d.). Coding helps shape your mental models as the first programming language you

learn can affect how you think of coding as it influences how you solve problems

(Lee, 2019). Programming affects your thinking habits on many levels and views of the world.

Programming can help strengthen the mind and certain connections of your brain (Berman,

2022). People might worry that to start programming you need high levels of math but you

actually don’t. Studies have also shown that programming doesn’t require you to use math as

MRI scans have been shown that certain parts of the brain used in programming doesn’t rely

much on math (Progkids, 2023). This means that coding behaves in a different way than doing

math as when coding it is as you’re learning a new language (Trafton, 2020). While it may sound

good that programming may provide many benefits to the brain, Overdoing might cause many

health issues such as brain draining and exhaustion (Medium, 2023). This means that

programming can be done to keep your brain active and will increase your thinking skills overall

(Rafael, 2020) as we will discuss later on this research.

We can see that programming has tons of benefits but you might be curious about what

the goal of programming is. There are many goals in programming such as writing, compiling,

running, usefulness, reading, testing and modifying. Mastering all these sectors is the ultimate

goal of programming (Gusev, 2024). When all are mastered one can find themself feeling relief,

good and full of adrenaline after solving a problem or finally be able to create something as a

sign of ultimate knowledge gained (Sheila Pontis, n.d.). With this, it is why most people enjoy
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coding and programming as you get great feelings from it. It was shown that when people have

these feelings they enjoy going to work and are more productive (Pal, 2018). Overall with such

mastered skills and happiness programmers will find it more successful in their career (Allen,

n.d.).

The reward of programming not only has benefits on the physical and mental aspect of

your health but also on the competitive side of you. Professional Programmers are motivated by

hackathons because of the drive it gives and the complexity it gives which motivates the

programmer more to finish the program (Parkkila, 2017). Hackathon, also known as a codefest,

is a coding or problem-solving event that brings programmers to improve on or build an entirely

new program or system depending on what the actual hackathon event’s category is (Priya,

2023). Joining a hackathon can provide many benefits for both you and the event’s host. Most

companies host and use hackathon to help them generate new ideas or innovations that can help

them grow their own businesses (Bright Idea, n.d.). For participants their benefits are learning

how to work as a team, gaining and learning new ideas (Rand, 2022). Going to a hackathon can

help you from a social point of view as you get to meet new people with different skill sets and

get to experience a new society and culture in the world of programming (hackthehub, 2022).

All of these sounds positive but it also raises negative concerns to your physical and

mental wellbeing. As most programmers sit on their chair and stare at a screen all day long it

may cause health issues such as back pain as you’re sitting in a specific posture for a long time

(Paneru, 2021). Some programmers may also have mental health issues such as not feeling good

enough, and burnout (Wibowo, 2022). Another side of negatives concerns programming can

affect is the society sides of things (Marija, 2023). When programmers misuse their work or

creation and utilize it to do bad things it can cause significant damage to the society (Bhadarka,
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2023). But with these negative effects programming is not overly negative it can also provide

positive impacts to society as well (Salvio, 2024).

Overall, this research is to find how programming how people behave when

programming. Their process of thinking and problem-solving skills before and after

programming as well as their implementation of those skills in their day to day life. With these

factors found we will understand programmers mindsets and thought process throughout their

careers.
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