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Programming as an intellectual activity is the only art Programming isn't an art. Programming is a craft. The difference is that you can use a craft to make
by shin_lao 15y ago
Programming as an intellectual activity is the only art
Programming isn't an art.
Programming is a craft.
The difference is that you can use a craft to make art, but crafting isn't always artistic.
Let's not get over our heads and consider ourselves artists because we can code...
- invalidOrTaken 15y agoThis is spot-on, and is a very succinct way to express it. Thank you.
- latj 15y agoPlease, tell me what my words mean.
- keiferski 15y agoThe word art, in the past, was used in the same way that we, today, use craft. So, it's not quite that simple. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art But let's avoid an argument on the semantics of aesthetics and just leave it at that.
- StavrosK 15y agoI don't disagree with you, but painting, sculpting, playing an instrument, writing, etc, all crafts, by that definition.
- a3_nm 15y agoFor musical instruments, at least, there are clearly defined technical exercises with no artistic value. They are usually necessary, but not sufficient, to be able to perform artistically.
- deleted 15y ago[deleted]
- zedshaw 15y agoOh, I'm so glad you, the one arbiter of all that is art, is able to correct our misunderstanding of the definition of "art". The truth is, you can't define art, so in the same way I can use paint to paint my house, or use paint to create a portrait, I can use programming for art or just as a day job. Finally, everything that requires skill has craft, even art.
- catshirt 15y agowhile op is possibly being pedantic, aren't you agreeing with him? shin_lao is suggesting that painting itself is not an art, but a craft. what you do with the paint defines whether or not it is art. likewise, your code can create something menial the same way it can create something artful. being able to program makes you no more of an artist than being able to put paint on a brush. whether or not being able to put paint on a brush makes you an artist, of course, is subjective. :)
- zedshaw 15y agoI have no real idea what he's talking about, since like most pedants, what he talks about isn't really relevant to anyone but him.
- wging 15y ago>>Programming as an intellectual activity is the only art form that allows you to create interactive art. Not true! Live performances can be plenty interactive. Which doesn't devalue programming--you can do things in software you actually can't do anywhere else--but this was perhaps poorly thought out.