# Thinking versus Coding By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2022-09-24 As a business analyst, do you need to feel comfortable coding? I think this is a poorly worded question. The question should be: As a business analyst, do you need to feel comfortable thinking and logically abstracting systems? The answer here is an absolute yes. However, many people confuse [[tools]] with abilities. So, many analysts dive deep into learning programming languages like Python and R. This is like learning about a pencil and believing it will help you become a better writer. In this Python and R analytics world, badges are won based on how infrequently you use the mouse and how few graphics are on your screen. Some analysts do great work in this [[environment]], but these tools do not cause [[success]]. Show me the outcomes instead of the tools. I'd never hire a carpenter just because they have the best tools. They need to show me their work. I want to make sure that the houses they built are still standing. Very few of the greatest analysts and minds of the last 100 years were not excellent coders. Most didn't even have computers. Thinking and logically abstracting systems is the skill to focus on before coding. Don't be the analysts with all the gear but none of the skills. #### Related Items [[Thinking]] [[Analytics]] [[Coding]] [[R]] [[Python]]