Presentation
Coding vs. Clicking: Clashes and Compromises in Scientific Computing
Georgia State University
(2018)
Abstract
Swygart-Hobaugh organized and moderated this panel for the 2018 Georgia State University Scientific Computing Day conference.
The panelists and attendees engaged in a conversation about the pros and cons of performing analytical computing via point-and-click interfaces vs. coding/programming. The following prompts guided the discussion:
- Coding vs. clicking – if you were forced to pick one side, which would you pick, and why? When do you think there is room for compromise?
- How do you think the increasing emphasis on research transparency and replication will influence the coding vs. clicking issue?
- How do you see disciplinary practices and traditions influencing the coding vs. clicking issue?
- When teaching novice researchers such as undergraduates, grad students, research staff, or other faculty analysis tools and/or approaches that are new to them, which is your go-to approach: Coding? Clicking? Both? And why?
- If someone says “I cannot learn code because [it’s too hard, I don’t have time to invest in learning it, the software I use works perfectly fine for what I need to do, etc.],” what would you say to them to convince them to think otherwise?
Keywords
- scientific computing,
- research methods,
- data analysis,
- coding,
- point-and-click analysis
Disciplines
Publication Date
October 26, 2018
Location
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Citation Information
Swygart-Hobaugh, Anderson, R., Fikis, D., Turner, M., & Walter, D. (2018, October 26). Coding vs. clicking: Clashes and compromises in scientific computing. Panel organizer and moderator at the 2018 GSU Scientific Computing Day, Atlanta, GA.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY International License.