Ten simple rules for biologists learning to program

PLOS Comp. Biol. Plant biologists need basic programming skills (see Friesner et al. for a discussion of why this is true and how to achieve it).  As part of the “Ten Simple Rules” series in PLOS Computational Biology, Carey and Papin describe Ten simple rules for biologists learning to program. This article seeks to encourage experimental biologists to take at least tentative steps into programming by demystifying the process and providing basic information to help get started. The rules are clear and useful. Rule 5, Learn how to ask questions, is particularly good advice no matter what you are doing. If your New Year’s Resolutions include learning to program, here is your portal. (Summary by Mary Williams) PLOS Comp. Biol. 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005871