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> and that computers store data in binary digits I know that computers store data in binary digits but it has absolutely no impact on how I do my job. I'm vagu
by afavour 5y ago
> and that computers store data in binary digits
I know that computers store data in binary digits but it has absolutely no impact on how I do my job. I'm vaguely aware of how bitwise operators work but have never had to use them in my work, only in random hacky side projects.
> like being an architect who doesn't understand trigonometry or something
I'd equate it with a an architect that doesn't know where the brick supplier they are working with sources their bricks from. It's absolute essential to the project, nothing is going to get built without the bricks. But the architect can still plan the use of those bricks and the project can be entirely successful without them needing that knowledge.
- stickfigure 5y agoI'd say it's a bit more like a truck driver who doesn't know how an engine or transmission works. Sure, you can learn the habits just fine, and maybe go your entire career without knowing what goes on under the hood. But sooner or later you're going to get stuck on the side of the road waiting for someone else to come out and fix something trivial.
- confidantlake 5y agoBut then you can call AAA and get fixed in under a hour. I would guess the number of truck drivers that know enough about their engine or transmission to fix a trivial issue is <10%. For Uber drivers I would be flabbergasted if it was over 1%. I actually think this is a pretty good analogy. A truck driver does not need to know how to fix their truck to do their job. A web developer does not need to know how to bitshift. For mechanics or low level programmers it is a different story.
- fungiblecog 5y agoBut this is like an architect trying to lay bricks without knowing how
- bandyaboot 5y agoIt really isn’t.