As a budding programmer, you’ve likely accumulated a collection of unfinished coding projects. These digital artifacts represent your journey, your growth, and sometimes, your frustrations. But how do you explain these to someone who might not be tech-savvy, like your grandma? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore creative and relatable ways to communicate your coding endeavors to your beloved grandmother, bridging the generational and technological gap.

1. Start with the Basics: What is Coding?

Before diving into your specific projects, it’s crucial to establish a foundational understanding of what coding is. Here’s how you might explain it:

“Grandma, coding is like writing a recipe for a computer. Just like how you follow steps to bake your famous apple pie, I write instructions for computers to follow. These instructions make the computer do things like show pictures, play music, or even control robots!”

This analogy helps to create a relatable context for your grandmother, using something she’s likely familiar with – cooking recipes.

2. Explain the Concept of a Project

Now that she understands what coding is, introduce the concept of a coding project:

“A coding project is like a big puzzle I’m trying to solve. Sometimes, it’s like building a house – I start with the foundation, then add walls, a roof, and finally, all the little details inside. But just like a house, it takes time, and sometimes I need to pause and come back later.”

This explanation helps your grandma understand that coding projects are complex and time-consuming, much like other big undertakings she might be familiar with.

3. Use Real-World Analogies for Your Specific Projects

When describing your actual projects, try to use analogies that relate to everyday objects or concepts your grandma knows well. Here are some examples:

a) For a Website Project

“Grandma, remember how you keep all your recipes in that big binder? I’m making something similar, but on the computer. People can look up recipes, save their favorites, and even share their own. It’s like your recipe binder, but available to everyone with a computer!”

b) For a Mobile App

“You know how you love playing solitaire with your deck of cards? I’m making a game that people can play on their phones. It’s like having a deck of cards in your pocket all the time, but the phone keeps track of the rules and scores for you.”

c) For a Data Analysis Project

“Remember how you used to balance your checkbook? I’m working on a program that does something similar, but for big companies. It looks at all their money coming in and going out, and helps them understand where they can save or where they’re spending too much.”

4. Explain Why Projects Might Be Unfinished

Your grandma might wonder why you have so many unfinished projects. Here’s how you can explain it:

“Grandma, do you remember when you taught me to knit? How I started with a scarf, then tried a hat, and now I’m working on a sweater? Coding is a lot like that. I start with small projects to learn, then move on to bigger ones. Sometimes, I pause a project because I’ve learned what I needed from it, or because I’ve found a more exciting project to work on. It’s all part of learning and growing as a programmer.”

This explanation helps your grandma understand that unfinished projects are a normal and even necessary part of the learning process.

5. Show the Progress, Not Just the End Goal

Even if a project isn’t finished, you can still showcase what you’ve accomplished:

“Let me show you what I’ve done so far, Grandma. See this part here? It’s like I’ve built the foundation and walls of the house. I still need to add the roof and paint it, but look how strong the structure is already!”

By focusing on what you’ve achieved rather than what’s left to do, you can help your grandma appreciate the work you’ve put in.

6. Relate It to Her Hobbies or Interests

Try to find connections between your coding projects and your grandma’s interests:

“You know how you love gardening, Grandma? Well, I’m working on a project that’s a bit like planning a garden. I’m deciding where to put different pieces of code, just like you decide where to plant different flowers. And just like your garden, my project needs constant care and attention to grow properly.”

This approach not only makes your work more relatable but also shows that you value and understand her interests.

7. Explain the Learning Process

Help your grandma understand that coding is a journey of continuous learning:

“Grandma, remember how you always say you learn something new every day? Coding is exactly like that. Each project teaches me something new, even if I don’t finish it. Sometimes, I start a project just to learn a new skill, like when you tried out that new recipe just to learn how to make a specific type of sauce.”

This explanation emphasizes the value of the process over the end product, which is often a concept older generations appreciate.

8. Discuss the Challenges and Problem-Solving Aspects

Your grandma might be interested in understanding the challenges you face:

“You know how sometimes when you’re cooking, things don’t turn out quite right, and you have to figure out why? Coding is full of moments like that. I often run into problems where my code doesn’t work as expected, and I have to be a detective to figure out why. It’s frustrating sometimes, but it feels amazing when I solve the problem!”

This explanation highlights the problem-solving skills you’re developing, which are valuable in any field.

9. Share Your Excitement and Passion

Don’t forget to convey your enthusiasm for what you’re doing:

“Grandma, I know all this might sound complicated, but I really love doing it. It’s like solving puzzles all day long. Every time I figure something out, it’s like a little victory. And the best part is, I’m creating things that can help people or make their lives easier.”

Your grandmother might not understand all the technical details, but she’ll certainly understand and appreciate your passion.

10. Explain the Potential Impact of Your Projects

Help your grandma see the bigger picture of what your coding projects could achieve:

“You know how you always say it’s important to help others? Well, that’s what I’m trying to do with my coding. For example, one of my projects could help people learn new languages more easily. Another one might help doctors keep track of their patients better. Even if I don’t finish every project, each one teaches me skills that I can use to make a difference in the world.”

This explanation shows that your coding isn’t just a hobby, but a way to contribute to society, which is something your grandma can certainly relate to and appreciate.

11. Use Visual Aids When Possible

If you can, show your grandma some visual representations of your work:

“Look, Grandma, this is what my code looks like. It might just look like a bunch of words and symbols to you, but watch what happens when I run it…”

Even if she doesn’t understand the code itself, seeing it in action can help her grasp what you’re trying to achieve.

12. Explain How Coding Relates to Modern Technology

Help your grandma understand how your coding relates to the technology she sees around her:

“You know how your smartphone can do all those amazing things? Or how you can video call with us even when we’re far away? All of that is possible because of coding. People like me write the instructions that make those devices work. I’m learning to do the same kind of thing!”

This explanation helps bridge the gap between abstract coding concepts and the tangible technology she interacts with daily.

13. Discuss the Iterative Nature of Coding

Help your grandma understand that coding often involves multiple attempts and improvements:

“Grandma, do you remember when you taught me to make your famous lasagna? How we made it once, then the next time we adjusted the seasoning, and the third time we perfected the sauce? Coding is a lot like that. I often create a basic version first, then keep improving it bit by bit. That’s why some projects take a long time or seem unfinished – I’m always finding ways to make them better!”

This analogy helps explain why coding projects are often ongoing and why “finished” doesn’t always mean “perfect”.

14. Explain the Collaborative Aspect of Coding

If you’re working on open-source projects or collaborating with others, you can explain it like this:

“You know how you and your friends in the quilting circle all work on different parts of a quilt, then bring them together to make something beautiful? Coding can be like that too. Sometimes, I work on a part of a bigger project, and other people from around the world work on other parts. We all contribute our pieces to create something amazing together.”

This explanation highlights the community aspect of coding, which might resonate with your grandma’s experiences in community projects.

15. Discuss the Future Potential of Your Skills

Help your grandma understand how your coding skills could shape your future:

“Grandma, learning to code is like learning a super-power for the modern world. It’s opening up so many opportunities for me. In the future, I could work on making computers that help doctors cure diseases, or create programs that help farmers grow more food, or even work on rockets that go to space! Every project I work on, even the unfinished ones, is helping me build skills for these exciting possibilities.”

This explanation shows how your current projects, finished or not, are stepping stones to potentially world-changing work in the future.

16. Relate Coding to Lifelong Learning

Your grandma has a lifetime of experience in learning new things. You can relate coding to this concept:

“You always say that you never stop learning, right Grandma? Well, coding is exactly like that. The field is always changing, with new languages and tools being created all the time. Each project I work on, even if I don’t finish it, teaches me something new and helps me stay up-to-date in this ever-changing field.”

This explanation emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, a concept your grandma is likely to appreciate and understand.

17. Discuss the Creative Aspect of Coding

Help your grandma understand that coding isn’t just logical, but also creative:

“You know how you express your creativity through your painting, Grandma? Coding lets me be creative too, just in a different way. I get to imagine new tools or games that don’t exist yet, and then I use code to bring them to life. It’s like painting, but instead of a canvas and brushes, I use a computer and code.”

This explanation helps bridge the gap between traditional creative pursuits and the creative aspects of coding.

18. Explain How Coding Develops Problem-Solving Skills

Highlight how coding enhances your ability to solve problems:

“Remember when the washing machine broke down and you figured out how to fix it by methodically checking each part? Coding is a lot like that. When something doesn’t work, I have to break down the problem, check each part of my code, and figure out where the issue is. It’s making me a better problem-solver in all areas of life!”

This explanation shows how the skills you’re developing through coding have broader applications in life.

19. Discuss the Global Nature of Coding

If you’re interacting with a global community of coders, explain it like this:

“You know how you have pen pals from different countries, Grandma? Well, through coding, I’m connecting with people from all over the world too. We share our projects, help each other solve problems, and learn from one another. It’s like having a worldwide club of friends who all speak the same language – the language of code!”

This explanation highlights the global connections you’re making through coding, which might appeal to your grandma’s interest in different cultures and communication.

20. Wrap It Up: The Joy of Creating

Finally, emphasize the satisfaction you get from coding:

“At the end of the day, Grandma, coding gives me the same joy that I see you get from your gardening or cooking. It’s about creating something from nothing, nurturing it, and watching it grow. Even when a project is unfinished, the process of working on it brings me happiness and satisfaction. And just like how you love sharing your cookies with the family, I love the idea that someday, people might use and enjoy the things I create with code.”

This final explanation encapsulates the essence of why you code, relating it to the joy of creation that your grandma can surely understand and appreciate.

Conclusion

Explaining your unfinished coding projects to your grandma doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using relatable analogies, focusing on the learning process, and highlighting the creative and problem-solving aspects of coding, you can help bridge the generational and technological gap. Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily for her to understand every technical detail, but rather to appreciate the passion, creativity, and potential impact of your work.

Who knows? Your grandma might even become your biggest cheerleader in your coding journey. She might not understand the difference between Python and JavaScript, but she’ll understand the universal languages of learning, creating, and pursuing one’s passions. And in the end, that shared understanding is what truly matters.

So the next time your grandma asks about your “computer stuff,” don’t shy away. Embrace the opportunity to share your world with her. You might be surprised at how interested and supportive she can be, even if the subject seems foreign at first. After all, grandmas have a special way of understanding and appreciating their grandchildren’s passions, no matter what form they take.