programming and mathematics are similar practices off the applied sciences tree. what knowing programming and the system constraints that such knowledge conveys familiarizes one with disciplined thinking which allows one to adapt to handling risk and taking on risk far easier than those who (for the most part, and there are a number of exceptions) were not trained as such. 10! now, if you don't or didn't come from those backgrounds, then practice learning simplistic excel spreadsheet programming and automated trades entry using your direct access platform and have all the orders cancelled, unless you really want them as live orders. that will start the process and if your profitable, then let it spend towards knowing / learning more about programming for trading systems
Computers are an extension of your mind if you know how to program, much like a gun is an extension of your fist and a car is an extension of your feet.