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At first it was small steps — discussing programming instead of doing it, then discussing things for programmers, and then discussing other topics altogether.
by edw519 16y ago
At first it was small steps — discussing programming instead of doing it, then discussing things for programmers, and then discussing other topics altogether.
This is the trap of "programmers' communities", including HN. For many years, I was a programmer by day and a civilian by night. There really wasn't much social life for programmers together. Then when I starting socializing with other programmers over beer, coffee, or on-line, my first thought was, "Finally! A group I belong in." My second thought was, "Be careful. Talking about work is not work. Have fun, but get back to work!"
...the only responsible way to live my life would be to do something that would only be done by someone who knew this thing...
That's the main reason I'm a programmer: What I write is needed and doesn't already exist. If it did, I'd probably be doing something else.
...it went amazingly well and I have since become convinced that I’m a pretty good programmer
Here's a dirty little elusive secret: It doesn't matter how good a programmer you are. All that really matters is whether or not what you build is good enough.
I don’t want to be a programmer. When I look at programming books, I am more tempted to mock them than to read them. When I go to programmer conferences, I’d rather skip out and talk politics than programming. And writing code, although it can be enjoyable, is hardly something I want to spend my life doing.
LookingAtProgrammingBooks != Programming
GoingToProgrammingConferences != Programming
WritingCode != Programming (well maybe a little)
My definition of Programming: "rejoicing in someone else's delivery of value with something I built for them". With a definition like that, I can't imagine doing anything else. I bet if we all focused on that, those many speed bumps wouldn't seem so high.
The writing is too important, the programming too unenjoyable.
You found your voice in prose, not syntax. Many spend their entire lives searching for their voice without ever finding it. Good for you.
- spacemanaki 16y ago"rejoicing in someone else's delivery of value with something I built for them" I think that's kind of a weird definition of programming. I don't know why it rubs me the wrong way. I find tremendous joy in writing and reading code which does something cool, even if those somethings don't provide value to the outside world. Of course, programming means different things for different people, and there's nothing inherently wrong with your definition. I just think it's a bit broad and maybe misses the mark for a lot of people who really enjoy programming itself, rather than as a means to some end.
- jerf 16y ago"I think that's kind of a weird definition of programming. I don't know why it rubs me the wrong way." Because a marketer can use it with a straight face to say that when they created a successful marketing campaign they have "programmed". I think you still need some concept of coding in there, even though I would also agree some idea of value delivered to somebody is also important.
- spacemanaki 16y agoI also definitely think delivering value is important! But wrapping that up in definition of programming itself is mixing things up. I think it makes more sense to include delivering value as part of the bigger context of programming as a career and a job.
- ollysb 16y agoFor me at least "programming" refers to coding whilst "development" refers to the process of adding value _using_ "programming".
- jimbokun 16y agoIt's more a general philosophy of life. The argument is that, in the end, you will be more satisfied by creating value for other people than if you only do things you find interesting or enjoyable in the moment, but do not impact other people's lives. Of course, that's not to say you have to choose only one. Google seems an exercise of doing really interesting things that also have a massive influence on people's lives.
- spacemanaki 16y agoI was never arguing against that general philosophy, just pointing out that I thought it was strange to include it in a definition of programming.
- noonespecial 16y agoMy favorite kind of programming is when I solve an esoteric little problem that no one else will ever care about but makes exactly one person's life better. Mine! Its not that I'm being selfish or anything, its about rejoicing in the fact that I had the skill to do it and better my own lot, instead of sitting there helpless, wishing there was someone who could do it for me.