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In many ways it's in fact insulting to software engineers to suggest that 'anybody could do it' - then what, exactly, do we do? You miss the point, so let me r

In many ways it's in fact insulting to software engineers to suggest that 'anybody could do it' - then what, exactly, do we do? You miss the point, so let me rephrase it for you. A few centuries: A: Everybody should now Mathematics. You: It's an insult to us, not everyone can understand discrete Math. A: Dude I do not mean they should know how what graph theory is, I am just saying they should know basic math so one they can become bank tellers, do their own basic finance, measure how much water is in the cup etc... Edit: I am a firm believer that only a certain % of the population are able to think in that funny way we programmers do. Wrong. Anybody is able to think like a programmer. It is not as if programmers, doctors, or physicists were born with certain brain functions that others lack. Every single professional developed their skills over time. It makes more sense for a athlete to say "not everyone can do what we do", then it is for an engineer to say the same. That being said, I have admiration and respect for what software engineers can do.

singular 16y ago
You miss the point, so let me rephrase it for you. [snip] Okay, well if that is indeed all that is being suggested - fine and I couldn't agree more - but it is so often the case that people want more than the simple system allows them, very quickly in fact. Seriously, look at any work MS access sheet for evidence - without fail things get very complicated very quick and in the end a developer has to sort it out. Wrong. Anybody is able to think like a programmer. [snip] We are just going to have to agree to disagree on that. I totally agree that it is largely about work, lots and lots of hard work (I'm a developer myself, so don't I know it); but there is a certain kind of structural way of thinking about things which I just don't think most people possess, in the same way that most people don't possess the type of mind which just 'gets' music. Talent is totally overrated, but it it is a pre-requisite to being able to do difficult things. And yes, I do think that is literally being born with a certain type of brain, or at perhaps also early life too to some degree...

singular 16y ago

You miss the point, so let me rephrase it for you. [snip] Okay, well if that is indeed all that is being suggested - fine and I couldn't agree more - but it is so often the case that people want more than the simple system allows them, very quickly in fact. Seriously, look at any work MS access sheet for evidence - without fail things get very complicated very quick and in the end a developer has to sort it out. Wrong. Anybody is able to think like a programmer. [snip] We are just going to have to agree to disagree on that. I totally agree that it is largely about work, lots and lots of hard work (I'm a developer myself, so don't I know it); but there is a certain kind of structural way of thinking about things which I just don't think most people possess, in the same way that most people don't possess the type of mind which just 'gets' music. Talent is totally overrated, but it it is a pre-requisite to being able to do difficult things. And yes, I do think that is literally being born with a certain type of brain, or at perhaps also early life too to some degree...