Phoenix Spark coding challenge Published Oct. 23, 2018 By 2nd Lt. Rachel Brinegar 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Phoenix Spark will hold a coding competition at its Innovation Lab at 3 p.m. Oct. 26, 2018 in Bldg. 181 at Travis Air Force Base, California. Phoenix Spark, the base’s grassroots innovation program, is looking for coders in Swift, Java, Python, JavaScript and HTML in order to put together a team of web and app developers. The team will work on projects for the base that have the potential to impact the Air Force. “At the tactical level, there are problems identified by Airmen that can change how we do business,” said Capt. Jacob Payton, Travis AFB Phoenix Spark Hub. Anyone with experience or an interest in learning is encouraged to participate in the competition. Having previous coding knowledge is not required. People often think of ones and zeroes when they hear computer coding or programming. However, writing binary code is not how today’s complex apps, websites and programs are made. According to Code Conquest, there are thousands of coding languages for the various mediums such as websites, apps, file programs and countless others. These coding languages are far more user friendly and they take care of the translation into binary code that the computer understands. These teachable languages, such as Python, Java or HTML, allow the user to understand, read and write code as well as act as an interpreter between the user and the computer. “Whether it’s converting a Scantron form into a digital form, developing a dorm app so Airmen can report issues or have web developers to maintain the Phoenix Spark website, these all require a skill set that we are looking to use or teach,” said Payton. For more information, contact the Phoenix Spark office at 60amw.ps.phoenixspark@us.af.mil or 707-424-8920.