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My job is basically fixing the code and processes of corporate programmers who copy/paste examples from websites into production systems. There's little unders
by seiji 11y ago
My job is basically fixing the code and processes of corporate programmers who copy/paste examples from websites into production systems. There's little understanding of how the code works and almost no reading of related documentation. If I compiles, I ships.
It's like if bridge designers didn't really know mechanics and just copy/pasted minecraft designs into the real world. Sure, it's not the fault of minecraft designers, but we can help kill fewer people by making better examples.
- mikeash 11y agoI don't think that analogy really works. If bridge designers were doing this, there would be massive outcry and we'd put a stop to it. We allow it to happen with (terrible) programmers only because the harm they do is pretty limited, and nobody's getting killed because of it.
- seiji 11y agothere would be massive outcry and we'd put a stop to it. Massive security branches? Massive fraud? Ineffective nationalized cybercommands? Just because we can't see the world burning with our eyes doesn't mean lead in the air isn't giving us brain damage.
- mikeash 11y agoThese are all because of people copy/pasting code from the internet?
- GPGPU 11y agoThere are probably 100x more servers sitting in server farms running websites (and burning power) than need to be because companies would rather hire 10 cheap Ruby or PHP programmers than one "expensive" Erlang/Elixer programmer. So there is some harm to bad programmers, even for non-critical websites.
- quartzkilla 11y agoI think the analogy holds. Software doesn't kill people ...until it does: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therac-25 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therac-25
- mikeash 11y agoSoftware obviously kills people sometimes. But I'm pretty sure that people who blindly copy/paste code from the internet into production systems don't.
- function_seven 11y agoI'm sorry you have that job. Or, maybe congratulations if you're the consultant who comes in and makes bucket loads of money fixing other people's crap. Either way, expecting People Who Know What They're Doing to shut up about it so that we can prevent People Who Don't Know What They're Doing from misunderstanding is shameful. The linked code wasn't published in a textbook, nor was it submitted as a Stack Overflow answer. You have no right to expect people to sanitize their writings just in case they see it. Sorry if I sound prickly, but this sentiment makes my blood boil.
- newobj 11y agoyikes dude. go to bed, have a good rest, and i hope that you wake up in a better mood tomorrow.
- tertius 11y agoI'm sorry but this is a false analogy [1]. You're suggesting that something that doesn't happen (mechanical engineers + minecraft) is analogous to something that does happen (corporate programmers + code poetry). Are you then suggesting that we outlaw minecraft because there may be a brain dead mechanical engineer alive? What you're suggesting is akin to either outlawing essays like this or only allowing "Professional Engineers" (i.e. certification required) to write code? The only solution is for the latter since the former is typical of a professional engineer seeking intellectual stimulation and should be applauded. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_analogy#False_analogy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_analogy#False_an...
- seiji 11y agoas scott adams says: I agree with your analysis of your hallucination. "Professional Engineers" (i.e. certification required) to write code? Do we let self taught basement dwellers design bridges crossed by millions of people and 100 story buildings?