While I understand the teaching approach, this sound like the type of task which, even if it came up as a completely random one-off need, I would feel is much easier to solve in code. The inevitable bugs in my script are at least repeatable and I can iterate until I have a solution, whereas a single bit error in the manual process will waste the entire effort with no progress.
And experience has shown that, more often than not, such hack scripts find ways to grow into mission critical services. Sure, it's an ancient Mayan qr code that is unique in the world and we just so happen to have found precise decoding instructions; but are you sure the one of the stone bits isn't just a piece of fossilized bird poo that was not present in the original? Are you sure all the stone pieces were found? are you sure no other ancient qr codes will be found in the future?
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While I understand the teaching approach, this sound like the type of task which, even if it came up as a completely random one-off need, I would feel is much easier to solve in code. The inevitable bugs in my script are at least repeatable and I can iterate until I have a solution, whereas a single bit error in the manual process will waste the entire effort with no progress.
And experience has shown that, more often than not, such hack scripts find ways to grow into mission critical services. Sure, it's an ancient Mayan qr code that is unique in the world and we just so happen to have found precise decoding instructions; but are you sure the one of the stone bits isn't just a piece of fossilized bird poo that was not present in the original? Are you sure all the stone pieces were found? are you sure no other ancient qr codes will be found in the future?
Life is too short not to automate everthing.
To me, decoding a QR code by hand is a cool feat, like solving a Rubik’s cube. It is very unlikely that you will ever need to do it.
And like you said, it’s an excellent way to teach implementors of automated QR code readers/writers.