Dexter T.

Ketchum
Professor Christina Giarrusso
October 4th, 2016
The Programming Blog Genre
The original blogs, first created in 1994, were considerably different than the blogs we
presently know and love. Where creating a blog is often perceived as a simple task with more
current, advanced tools, the very first blogs were limited to a very specific, technical audience
(Web Designer Depot, 2011). Only individuals who were familiar with the coding of websites
were able to develop their own blog, and thus the first bloggers were often programmers. While
programming blogs in particular were eventually overshadowed by the more numerous fitness,
travel, and food blogs, they played a critical role in the foundation of blogging and still act as a
niche topic for interested readers today (Misiaszek, 2015).
Before diving into the intricacies of the programming blog genre, the nature of
programming should be first explained. Essentially, a programmer has the option of using a
multitude of different programming languages, each of which can be used for building different
sorts of programs. In the case of developing a blog, languages like HTML, CSS, or PHP may be
useful in detailing the webpage (W3 Schools, n.d.). In the case of developing a standalone
application for a computer, other languages like C++ and Java, which are considered objectoriented languages, would be more useful to tackle the task (CS-Fundamentals, n.d.). Many
languages have evolved over time, and many new languages have arisen with the growth of
technology and the improvement of processing speeds. Depending on the program youre
building, you could use any number of languages to build the front-end (user interface) and backend (servers and databases) to fit the vision you have in mind.

Programming languages are inherently volatile, however, which presents a problem for
universities when choosing the courses they would like to offer to their students. Since smaller
programming languages are used for very niche topics, and often die off after several years, most
institutions focus their efforts on languages like C++ and Java which are tried-and-tested
programming languages that will remain in use for decades to come (Patton, 2015). Thus,
programming blogs and informative websites come in handy when a programmer would like to
learn a less-popular language that falls outside of the scope of Java and C (TIOBE, 2016). Where
a university course is rigid, costly, and narrow in scope, these programming blogs are expansive
in their topics, fluid in availability, and absolutely free for users to read. These conventions allow
programming blogs to play a critical role in the world of learning programming, as they
successfully supplement a university education with details that would have otherwise been left
out.
Like many learning resources, these blogs focus on logos and ethos appeals to facilitate
the learning experience. Authors are often credentialed programmers with experience in the field
they are blogging about, and they make cohesive arguments in support of particular semantic
styles in their individual languages. To optimize the learning experience, programming blogs are
often organized in an archived manner that is easy for new readers to dive into, which sets them
apart from the typical blog (Dunlevie, n.d.). While most blogs will focus on a chronological feed
of information, from most recent to the oldest post, programming blogs are usually separated into
sections depending on the topic theyre covering (i.e. Introduction to HTML, Making a
Website!, or Forging Your Database). The vast majority of programming blogs are oriented
towards learning new things, and thus the tone they take is often that of a teacher discussing a

new topic with a student. As such, programming blogs often pull away from the usage of pathos,
as pulling on heart-strings usually is not necessary to create a learning environment.
However, despite all of the benefits that programming blogs have ushered in, they are a
breed of blogs that is gradually being phased out of existence. With new mega-websites filled
with programming tutorials, including even those niche languages that programming blogs
tacklefl, users have an easier time navigating tutorials for multiple languages all in one place.
Furthermore, due to the sparse nature of blog posting, these mega-website competitors (like
CodeAcademy1, W3 Schools2, and Lynda3) offer an additional level of consistency and features
that a programming blog cannot offer. While I think programming blogs will continue to have a
place in the hearts of some programmers and students, I infer they will eventually be
overshadowed by the growing number of tutorial sites. Unless, of course, they improve the
manner in which they speak directly to programmers. While text-heavy tutorial sites explore
topics in-depth, they lack the intercommunication that is available with a dedicated blogger. This
interaction is incredibly important in this field considering how difficult it can be to articulate
programming challenges.
As it stands, however, programming blogs act as an excellent tool for mastering the
languages you are either learning in school or at home. Through their casual tone, easy-to-read
format, and accessible archives, they grant a plethora of tools to guide you through even the most
difficult subjects without incurring too much stress on the user. They offer unique perspectives
on languages that are often forgotten or overlooked, and grant insight into how professionals use
blogs to tackle challenges in the industry, while also acting as a comfortable environment to ask
questions and grow as a programmer.
1

https://www.codecademy.com/
http://www.w3schools.com/
3
https://www.lynda.com/
2

Bibliography
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Misiaszek, E. (2015, June 25). The 10 Most Popular Blogging Topics to Write About. Retrieved from
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