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For much the same reason that someone who has no CS background can productively do a short coding bootcamp and be employable, someone who has a theory-heavy and

For much the same reason that someone who has no CS background can productively do a short coding bootcamp and be employable, someone who has a theory-heavy and practice-light CS background can almost certainly pick up practical skills quickly. It's more of an educated vs. educable thing, and anyone who's demonstrated that they're educable is probably worth at least looking into a bit more even if they don't come with the full practical skillset already. (and I say this, ironically, as a lifelong opponent of theory-heavy CS programs which churn out people who can derive an answer to your question straight from the Church-Turing thesis but couldn't code it up to save their lives)

morgante 11y ago
> For much the same reason that someone who has no CS background can productively do a short coding bootcamp and be employable, someone who has a theory-heavy and practice-light CS background can almost certainly pick up practical skills quickly. I don't think they're equivalent at all. The truck driver simply never had the opportunity or exposure to programming. He didn't know what it was like and hence couldn't do it. The theory student did have exposure but was either incapable or uninterested in pursuing it. Even in the most theory-heavy of programs, you program a little. The kids who actually understand and like the programming aspect latch onto it and continue to learn and grow, ending up employable. The kids who, having been exposed to programming and realized that it's not for them, never learn any more and continue to flail around in masters programs teaching mathematics in the guise of CS.
berntb 11y ago
Some people just can't learn the programming part. I studied (and helped with labs a few times) two of these. Mathematics and theory was fine, but the rest not. Weird, I wouldn't have believed it was possible after years of university, if I hadn't seen it. One became a teacher, I don't know about the other. He might have become a quite good entrepreneur. Seriously. The point is, it is possible one of these are the next person with a theory heavy background you interview... (But ok, we all know that too well even with little experience of hiring. :-( )

morgante 11y ago

> For much the same reason that someone who has no CS background can productively do a short coding bootcamp and be employable, someone who has a theory-heavy and practice-light CS background can almost certainly pick up practical skills quickly. I don't think they're equivalent at all. The truck driver simply never had the opportunity or exposure to programming. He didn't know what it was like and hence couldn't do it. The theory student did have exposure but was either incapable or uninterested in pursuing it. Even in the most theory-heavy of programs, you program a little. The kids who actually understand and like the programming aspect latch onto it and continue to learn and grow, ending up employable. The kids who, having been exposed to programming and realized that it's not for them, never learn any more and continue to flail around in masters programs teaching mathematics in the guise of CS.

berntb 11y ago

Some people just can't learn the programming part. I studied (and helped with labs a few times) two of these. Mathematics and theory was fine, but the rest not. Weird, I wouldn't have believed it was possible after years of university, if I hadn't seen it. One became a teacher, I don't know about the other. He might have become a quite good entrepreneur. Seriously. The point is, it is possible one of these are the next person with a theory heavy background you interview... (But ok, we all know that too well even with little experience of hiring. :-( )