The real difference here is between hobbyists and mere workers. Programming happens to be one of the disciplines which has a lot of hobbyists. But that doesn’t

The real difference here is between hobbyists and mere workers. Programming happens to be one of the disciplines which has a lot of hobbyists. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find hobbyists in other disciplines. Look at machining for example. Long dominated by people working in machine shops making tools and parts on the clock. But in the background there’s a strong hobbyist contingent and there you’ll find endless debates over whether a beginner should buy a decades old Bridgeport milling machine or a brand new Chinese-made one. Similarly I find endless debates about what sort of frying pan to use (nonstick, stainless, carbon steel, or cast iron) among amateur chefs, but you’ll never see people working in a restaurant waste time on that. In other words, it’s hobbyists who really obsess over tools and craftsmanship. They do it because they love it. Programmers just happen to be among the odd sort who can get paid to practice their hobby.