Sorry you're wrong based on my many years experience with dealing with non-programmers and this exact situation.
Seeing what is already being done with computers on a daily basis gives people knowledge of what can be done without knowledge of programming. Knowing programming but not enough could also be an impediment as well. You may not realize there are simple ways of solving an issue that to you with your limited knowledge seems like it could take a tremendous amount of effort. There is an expression "a little knowledge can be dangerous".
And how many people are going to take the time to learn to code enough anyway to see all the possibilities?
I'd say they're right, based on my many years experience dealing with non-programmers and this exact situation.
Knowledge of programming and the business are both important and key here, but it's the slant towards business that can give someone the leg up on saving companies money. It isn't always about simple data entry or automation, it's going about your daily job with the insights and skills that basic programming provide that allow people to recognize where a new script or application could improve their business process in some way.
Business processes can be extremely complicated, and you can't easily impart business knowledge and processes upon a programmer in a manner sufficient to give them the ability to recognize where their skills can be best applied in a business.
"Seeing what is already being done with computers on a daily basis gives people knowledge of what can be done without knowledge of programming"
Not true at all, people can use computers every day of their life in their job and still not even understand where a window goes when they minimise it.
Seeing what is already being done with computers on a daily basis gives people knowledge of what can be done without knowledge of programming. Knowing programming but not enough could also be an impediment as well. You may not realize there are simple ways of solving an issue that to you with your limited knowledge seems like it could take a tremendous amount of effort. There is an expression "a little knowledge can be dangerous".
And how many people are going to take the time to learn to code enough anyway to see all the possibilities?