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I am an intermittent developer, because I need to sell, and manage my (small) business too. In my case, using javascript on the front end and PHP in the back,

I am an intermittent developer, because I need to sell, and manage my (small) business too. In my case, using javascript on the front end and PHP in the back, and as a scripting language for servers was frustrating. Function names are always slightly so different... I increased my productivity and my fun tremendously when I switched to Node on the backend. Sometimes I am thinking about using Python for computer vision stuff. Nope... Everything Javascript, so much better for my sanity.

shock 6y ago
For a bit of unconventional (intellectual) fun, you can imagine your post as being about cooking and food instead of programming and programming languages. Something like: "I was an intermittent cook, because I need to sell, and manage my (small) business too. In my case, cooking both soups and main courses, and some deserts occasionally was frustrating. Cooking times are always slightly different... I increased my productivity and my fun tremendously when I switched to only eating polenta." I hope this does not come off as offensive, which was not my intention, instead, I hope this serves as food(pun intended) for thought and reflection.
- pavlov 6y ago
  I’m not sure that’s the right analogy for using different programming languages in different parts of the stack. A back-end API looks the same to its consumer regardless of whether it’s written in PHP or Node or Haskrustapl. Maybe the analogy would be: “I was using three different kinds of butter in my kitchen. I switched to just one brand. Turns out it didn’t make a difference in taste, yet saves me effort and money because I can buy larger quantities of the ingredient.”
  - valand 6y ago
    > A back-end API looks the same to its consumer regardless of whether it’s written in PHP or Node or Haskrustapl. It looks looks the same to its consumer, but it will feel different when under pressure. I've experienced React SSR server (I know this is heavy) not able to withstand traffic when pushed to only tens of concurrent users, reaching only 1000ish RPS even after being clustered. I'm not opposed to NodeJS though. I've learnt a lot of it and I've ever been a NodeJS fanboy for like 2 years-ish. PS: I also increased my productivity too moving from PHP to NodeJS back then years ago.
- wayneftw 6y ago
  Your analogy is wrong. You said, “ when I switched to only eating polenta.” but it should have been “ when I switched to only cooking polenta.” Only eating one type of food is crazy. Nobody does that and if they do, it’s not fun. However, as a chef, streamlining the types of meals that you cook sounds like a great way to free up time and have a lot more fun in your life. It doesn’t sound weird at all, not even in the slightest degree.
- Mulpze15 6y ago
  If I had 2 knives in my kitchen that behave quite differently, but achieved the same goal as efficiently, as long as you know how to use them, then I would be tired of cutting myself. I would drop one really quick. If you are not a restaurant, and eating polenta is fine for you, and make you save time and increase fun, then go for it!! My business is not programming, is to provide a service. I understand the right tool may make a tremendous difference in a big team or someone coding full time, but not for me.

shock 6y ago

For a bit of unconventional (intellectual) fun, you can imagine your post as being about cooking and food instead of programming and programming languages. Something like: "I was an intermittent cook, because I need to sell, and manage my (small) business too. In my case, cooking both soups and main courses, and some deserts occasionally was frustrating. Cooking times are always slightly different... I increased my productivity and my fun tremendously when I switched to only eating polenta." I hope this does not come off as offensive, which was not my intention, instead, I hope this serves as food(pun intended) for thought and reflection.

pavlov 6y ago
I’m not sure that’s the right analogy for using different programming languages in different parts of the stack. A back-end API looks the same to its consumer regardless of whether it’s written in PHP or Node or Haskrustapl. Maybe the analogy would be: “I was using three different kinds of butter in my kitchen. I switched to just one brand. Turns out it didn’t make a difference in taste, yet saves me effort and money because I can buy larger quantities of the ingredient.”
- valand 6y ago
  > A back-end API looks the same to its consumer regardless of whether it’s written in PHP or Node or Haskrustapl. It looks looks the same to its consumer, but it will feel different when under pressure. I've experienced React SSR server (I know this is heavy) not able to withstand traffic when pushed to only tens of concurrent users, reaching only 1000ish RPS even after being clustered. I'm not opposed to NodeJS though. I've learnt a lot of it and I've ever been a NodeJS fanboy for like 2 years-ish. PS: I also increased my productivity too moving from PHP to NodeJS back then years ago.
wayneftw 6y ago
Your analogy is wrong. You said, “ when I switched to only eating polenta.” but it should have been “ when I switched to only cooking polenta.” Only eating one type of food is crazy. Nobody does that and if they do, it’s not fun. However, as a chef, streamlining the types of meals that you cook sounds like a great way to free up time and have a lot more fun in your life. It doesn’t sound weird at all, not even in the slightest degree.
Mulpze15 6y ago
If I had 2 knives in my kitchen that behave quite differently, but achieved the same goal as efficiently, as long as you know how to use them, then I would be tired of cutting myself. I would drop one really quick. If you are not a restaurant, and eating polenta is fine for you, and make you save time and increase fun, then go for it!! My business is not programming, is to provide a service. I understand the right tool may make a tremendous difference in a big team or someone coding full time, but not for me.