Despite the fact that “Tango with Django” came in fourth in the list of unconference sessions, journalists and aspiring programmers still got a chance to dance.

Session proposers Michelle Minkoff and Heather Billings decided Saturday morning to hold the unconference session despite the fact that only the top three were offered space. They spread the word via Twitter and in person, and gathered in an alcove near the escalators on the third floor. About 30 journalists and programmers showed up, with abilities ranging from ace to amateur.

“They were like criss-cross applesauce here,” said Billings, referring to how her audience was seated.

Minkoff agreed. “It looked like it was ‘storytime.’”

The pair of programmers were discussing Django, a system of Web framework and code that is designed for newsrooms under a deadline. During their talk, they stressed the need for journalists to ensure their skill sets contained some programming knowledge in an increasingly digital newsroom.

Minkoff first became intrigued by the possibilities of coding when she was shown an interactive map in graduate school. She took a class from Derek Willis of the New York Times, who encouraged her to work on programming as an independent study.

While some journalists may be somewhat wary about learning how to code, Minkoff said there are ways to learn it faster.

“Approach programming as if it was a beat,” Minkoff said. “Something you’re trying to wrap your head around. Talk to the right people, get books, learn everything you can.”

One attendee asked about where he could ask for help when he felt overwhelmed and without feeling stupid. Both Minkoff and Billings encouraged him to just ask whoever he could.

“The top priority is to pay it forward,” Minkoff said. “Whether it takes [the person you're asking] an hour or five seconds to answer a question, they’ll do it.”

Billings and Minkoff also offered five tips for beginning programmers.