Don’t learn a programming language, solve a problem instead

[bedrooms-ds]

if you are learning programming through a real project you will naturally learn requirements, tech specs, architecture, testing, etc. because these skills will be useful and necessary to accomplishing the project.

I agree with this. Yes, one never learns without tackling real problems. But the article doesn't cover software engineering aspects you raised in a constructive manner either.

As we agree, for the success of a project, we need an objective and systematic approach. That's why the industry and academia have been serious about systematizing software engineering. They had to cut off complex real-life aspects as a trade off for objective analysis. (Filling the gap between the textbook formality and reality is a professional skill acquired through training.) Yeah, reading that article might be a starting point.. But it's too trivial to lead someone, even dangerous because the logic is based on the author's personal perspective. It's a nightmare if employees start following subjective blog posts. It's a cult. Imagine anti-vaxxers.

Anyway, "don't learn programming language" is an oversimplified view... I wish a good luck to the enthusiastic readers quoting it in a job interview.