Teen Author Aryan Poduri Demystifies Python with GOAT Coder

Aryan Poduri, a 17-year-old from California, has written "GOAT Coder," a book intended to teach children how to use the Python programming language. Poduri noticed a gap in resources while watching his parents struggle to teach his elementary school-aged sister. The book focuses on providing clear, uncomplicated explanations to help young students overcome the initial hurdle of understanding code. Poduri, who grew up in Mountain House near Silicon Valley, started coding at a young age and developed his first web app, Voto Polo, in middle school. His work addresses findings from a 2023 research report supported by Apple, which cited "being unsure of where to start" as the biggest barrier to learning coding. Since its publication in April, the book has sold over 2,000 copies. Poduri aims to make software engineering a visible career option for youth and plans to continue his career in the tech industry.

Learning a new programming language can be daunting, particularly for children encountering a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols for the first time. Aryan Poduri experienced this firsthand when he saw his parents attempting to teach his sister. "When you're first understanding the concept of what goes behind screens, it's hard to wrap your head around," Poduri noted. This observation led to the creation of "GOAT Coder," a self-published book released in April.

The book is designed to demystify the versatile programming language known as Python. Poduri structured the curriculum himself, ensuring that concepts are explained clearly and concisely for a young audience. The initiative addresses a specific need identified in the industry. A 2023 research report supported by Apple highlighted that the most significant barrier for students is a lack of direction on where to begin. Poduri believes that making coding accessible is vital because it opens up a "big marketplace" of opportunities that many students might not consider.

• Python is described as a versatile programming language.
• The book uses hands-on exercises and uncomplicated explanations.
• Poduri self-published to avoid tight deadlines and maintain creative control.

Poduri’s journey into technology began early, influenced heavily by his environment. He grew up in Mountain House, located approximately two hours east of Silicon Valley. "That definitely had an impact because, around here, everyone is coding," Poduri explained. Both of his parents work in the tech industry, which provided him with early exposure to the field. They started teaching him to code when he was young, sparking an initial curiosity that he further developed through a beginner's Python class in elementary school and YouTube tutorials.

His interest evolved from a hobby to a serious pursuit during middle school. It was during this time that he developed his first computer program, Voto Polo, a web application used to create and vote on polls. "That's when I realized this could be a future for me," Poduri said. This realization led to participation in hackathons and an internship at DataDios, a data and AI company based in San Francisco. These experiences provided the practical foundation that eventually enabled him to write a comprehensive guide for other beginners.

Writing "GOAT Coder" was a significant undertaking that required Poduri to step back and remember what it feels like to be a novice. "It's been years since I started coding, so I didn't remember what I wanted to know or what really excited me," Poduri admitted. To combat this, he had to reconstruct the learning process from a beginner's perspective. He spent approximately nine months writing the book, a timeline he extended because he had to juggle school and extracurricular activities.

Despite the challenges, Poduri maintained a positive outlook on the project. "I was having fun while doing it," he said. The process involved more than just writing; he had to create a curriculum from scratch. He also had to ensure the material was engaging enough to hold the attention of young readers while being technically accurate. The result is a resource that aims to fill the void he identified in his own household and the broader educational landscape.

Currently, Poduri is focused on promoting "GOAT Coder" and navigating his college applications. However, his ambitions extend far beyond a single book. He is already looking toward a career in the tech industry, specifically software engineering. He has contributed to the field academically, authoring two research papers regarding DataDios' SmartDiff, a tool designed to validate data across private and public cloud platforms.

Poduri’s vision for his future is multidimensional. He explicitly stated, "I don't want to be stuck to just coding." Instead, he is interested in exploring various sectors of the business world. "One of my long-term career goals is to eventually become an entrepreneur," Poduri said. He values continuous learning and has not ruled out writing a follow-up book to further assist aspiring coders.

Ultimately, Poduri views coding not just as a technical skill, but as a critical option for the next generation. By making the language more approachable, he hopes to inspire other young people to view software engineering as a viable and exciting career path.