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Maybe a better description would be that programming tools are a type of toy, or programming is a type of play, in a loose sense. Because games usually have fai
by ilaksh 3y ago
Maybe a better description would be that programming tools are a type of toy, or programming is a type of play, in a loose sense. Because games usually have fairly well defined rules. Although sandbox games are quite popular. So maybe programming is the ultimate sandbox game.
But I remember when I was a kid, the computer was always the most fascinating thing to play around with in the house.
Besides the part about defining and achieving goals within some constraint, there is also the exploratory aspect of programming and computer software in general. What's in there? Could be anything. Also, what can you do with a certain subsystem, how does it behave, can you make it do something new.
Programming is like making your own toys.
- scotty79 3y agoMaybe that's why I like debugging. It has clear set of rules and fairly clear win condition. Building stuff is way worse with a lot of ambiguity, cloudy goal and having to choose one thing among others equally unsatisfying ones. It has a lot of freedom but almost always I use the ultimate form of freedom and just stop doing in favor of something that's more fun for me. I know most programmers are not like me, but I'm here for the puzzle and the power of being capable ... and money of course.
- lpapez 3y agoDefinitely agree with the puzzle sentiment. I've been fortunate enough in my career to reach a point where I can sell myself as a "freelance firefighter" and now my gigs consist mostly of exploration of dumpster fires or legacy projects reboots - which I find incredibly fun. The simple sounding puzzle tasks such as "can you get this ancient project to compile on a modern compiler" are such a refreshment compared to feature planning, OKR sync and other endless, directionless and unmeasurable work.