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Perhaps taken in context one might have read it as "if you describe your sole value as the ability to write code, someone is already working on a way to get you
by bryanh 15y ago
Perhaps taken in context one might have read it as "if you describe your sole value as the ability to write code, someone is already working on a way to get you fired".
- psykotic 15y agoI understand the context. Patrick's formulation is so commonplace as to be cliche. Code is our medium of expression. There's nothing inaccurate or ignominious about describing ourselves as programmers. To say that the code exists to solve problems is to flirt with tautology.
- cwp 15y agoYou still miss the point, though. Patrick isn't saying that calling yourself a programmer is inaccurate or ignominious. He's saying that it's not going to have a desirable effect on the listener. He's saying you should talk about the value you create, rather than the effort you expend.
- beezee 15y agoThis is marketing 101- the issue is why would you work somewhere that you have to continuously market yourself just to keep your job? That's what the interview is for. Personally in my experience working with startups, everyone at the company knows why I'm there, what I do, and there's no question about the value I bring. What I call myself just doesn't matter. I would wish this type of experience for everyone.
- cdavid 15y agoBut Patrick specifically mentions about the majority of "programmers", those who work for companies big enough such as people above them will barely know your name. Also, be careful about the notion that there is no question about the value you bring to your company. That may be true while the company is doing well, but if the need arises to reduce costs, the question will come up.
- randomdata 15y agoA programmer, to me, is someone who is familiar with the entire process of software development. From gathering requirements, to designing interfaces, to writing code, to delivering and supporting the final product. I believe the term normally used to refer to someone who can only write code is code monkey.
- rickmb 15y agoYou should get out in the real world more and especially talk to people who are not in software development. What you call a code monkey is what the rest of the world considers a programmer.
- randomdata 15y agoCode monkey is not my term. I find it to be a little derogatory, personally. Still, despite that, it is the term commonly used for the job. Most people in the real world have no idea what it takes to develop software. They believe if someone is a programmer, they can develop the entire thing from top to bottom and everything in between. It is really only in the tech circles where people see why the job is separated out into different roles for different people. Some there equate programmer with "code monkey," but their opinion is not the norm. And one I do not agree with.
- Swannie 15y agoYep. The real world says a programmer only writes code, a developer does all the rest of the work around programming as well.