Lrn is a mobile app for Apple devices that provides an introduction to coding. Once you’ve signed up for free, you can choose between five programming languages, and you are given a series of bite-size lessons. These take the form of explanations followed by multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank questions; you don’t get to experiment with any coding yourself.
I chose JavaScript, and although the first few pages were laughably easy, explaining, for example, that “code is what computer programs are written in, the same way that words are what books are composed of”, things quickly became more challenging, and I felt I was digesting a surprising amount for such a simple learning model.
After the first four lessons, I was asked to pay £2.29 (Dh10) to unlock the rest of the JavaScript lessons, or £4.99 to unlock courses in all five languages.
Lrn has a very clean design, well-written instructions, and provides a smooth user experience. Best of all, you can download the lessons while you have access to Wi-Fi, and then do the exercises offline – an excellent use of dead time spent in the back of a car or waiting in line at the shops.
Of course, there are limitations to the model too. As you don’t get to try your own code, the app is only intended to be an introduction to the ideas and structures underlying programming languages. This can be very useful, Lrn’s founders say, for people who work with developers, like start-up chief executives, who need to be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with their software engineers without stumbling over basic terminology. It can also function as a precursor to a more in-depth course with a platform such as Codecademy or General Assembly.
Leaving these caveats aside, Lrn is a well-designed and effective educational tool, and it teaches a skill that’s soon going to be as important and ubiquitous as basic spelling, grammar and maths. Even if you’re not directly dealing with code at work, trying out Lrn is an excellent use of a few spare minutes. And an Android version is in the pipeline but it’s not out yet.
Q&A:
Who’s behind the app?
The chief executive and co-founder Nathan Bernard previously taught at Boston University’s Business Accelerator and launched a job-seeking app called Coffee in New York. His fellow co-founders are the UX designer Logan Bernard and the software engineer Chirag Jain.
What programming languages are taught?
You can choose between HTML, the most basic language of the web; CSS, which lets you style and design web pages; JavaScript, which makes pages more dynamic and interactive, and Python or Ruby, which are the most readable and multipurpose languages.
Why did they come up with it?
Mr Bernard told Business Insider that when he became a start-up founder, he found that his lack of technical programming knowledge took away from his confidence as a leader. After enjoying the experience of teaching himself to code but wanting to be able to use his subway commute to keep learning, he launched Lrn in summer 2015 with UX designer Logan Bernard and Mr Jain.
Any competitors?
Swifty is a great app in a similar style to Lrn for the iOS programming language Swift, and Khan Academy’s mobile app has free video tutorials and interactive quizzes on various aspects of programming.
What are the most popular courses?
Unlocking the complete set of JavaScript lessons is the top in-app purchase, followed by the complete set of five courses, Python lessons and Ruby lessons.
Where can I find it?
Get it at lrnapp.com or at the Apple App Store.
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Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
