> This has the effect of selecting programmers for their skill, patience, and diligence in executing the algorithms they're given. Our high school experiences

> This has the effect of selecting programmers for their skill, patience, and diligence in executing the algorithms they're given. Our high school experiences couldn't have been more different. In math class we were given the definition of a limit and derived all of the rest of high-school calculus collaboratively from there. Similarly for high-school linear algebra: couple of quick axioms and then all further theorems and algorithms derived from there. Meanwhile in Chemistry class they'd give me a failing grade because I failed to memorize the exact charges of the various polyatomic ions and solving the rest of the problem using variables in place of the charges wasn't good enough.