Highly disagree with the author. Not everyone who learns to code needs to go on to become a software developer or engineer. I actually really like the idea of coding being another skill like sewing, cooking or arts and crafts. Something that some people do professionally, but most people have a basic understanding of for when they need it.
I kind of agree that there is a place for coding without becoming a developer, but what these recent "code schools" seem to be doing is trivialising software development itself. I certainly wouldn't want to stop anyone dabbling in coding, singing, learning a language, etc... but we wouldn't want to confuse that with taking any of those pursuits to a professional level, which is something else entirely, and not quite so "easy".
Yeah, it overlooks the fact that with many of the tools we use now, a little coding can go a long way. I'm far more productive in my job because I can manage to make some of my own tools instead of waiting for the IT department to provide me with something that will likely be not what I asked for, if they even ever get around it it.
There is certainly a place for "a little coding", as you put it. I used to work in an investment bank where traders would write their own Excel macros to perform duties it would've taken months for them to get IT to implement. But building most production-worthy software is not what "learning to code" is about. I guess I'm just trying to re-draw the line. Wouldn't want to stop anyone coding :-)