Grades

Created on Sept. 15, 2012, 11:14 a.m. by Hevok & updated by Hevok on May 2, 2013, 4:43 p.m.

Grades are martial art inspired gradings and represented by a color schema. They are given for mastering certain programming tasks and grades can be obtained for different languages (e.g. Python, C, HTML, Javascript etc.).

In programming, there are 8 different belt levels. Each of these belt levels is signified by a different colored belt. However, behind each of these belts is a different level of skill and mastery of the art of programming.

The basic color progression (white -> yellow -> orange -> green -> blue -> purple -> brown -> black) originated from the circumstance that it facilitated dying the same belt (with of course natural dyes and colors extracted from the nature). In such the color order is the due to the fact that each color can be dyed into the next color, hence a programmer can retain their original belt. The first seven (from white to brown) are within the kyū levels of programming belt grades.

Kyū grades are considered to be student degrees, while the dan grades are considered as those of the master levels. A developer that has successfully progressed through the kyū grades then may enter the dan grades. Dan means "step", "stage" or "phase". Achieving dan grade means that, while one is no longer considered a beginner, one is not yet necessarily an expert. Rather it means that one learned the basics.

From student to teacher, from impetuous to circumspect, from taking to giving and from war to peace, this is the objective of programming martial arts training. Those that do not fully understand this follow a short path with no reward other that egotism and selfishness awaiting.

One of the philosophical roots of the arts of programming is to "be like water and constantly seek the lowest point via the way of least resistance". This conception must be firmly understood, appreciated and accepted to permit and then encourage an attitude of first non-attainment and then later no-mind. This is all achieved only with diligent and repetitive practice and never completed. Those that find fault in this system are those who hold on to an attitude of superiority that should not be tolerated or endorsed as true arts of programming.

karate_belts.jpeg

Tags: concept
Parent: Achievements
Children: Graduation System

URL: /aspects/programming/grades/


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