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I would think the vast majority of “world class” professional software engineers go unnoticed unless they transition into a more academic, entrepreneurial, or o
by vonseel 8y ago
I would think the vast majority of “world class” professional software engineers go unnoticed unless they transition into a more academic, entrepreneurial, or otherwise public role later in their careers.
We know the names of people like mentioned above because of what they created or how prolific and widespread their teaching work is. Professional engineering demands no publicity outside the organization and while there may exist legendary engineers within Google, Apple, etc - people who insiders know and may follow their careers - if you aren’t “in” and connected in a big way you aren’t going to be familiar with them.
I certainly am not.
- cc81 8y agoThere are a some, the most obvious example being Linus Torvalds. At google you have Jeff Dean who has, rightfully, become famous as a world class software engineer.
- avmich 8y agoAt Google you also have Ken Thompson, who I'd argue is a world class software engineer :) . Actually, scientist too...
- Joeri 8y agoThey may also not be interested in publicity. Dave Cutler is reported to have had it written into his contract at microsoft that he didn’t have to deal with the press, and he pretty much never did.