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I think programming is an basically an exercise in effective communication. Edsger Dijkstra said that "Besides a mathematical inclination, an exceptionally goo

I think programming is an basically an exercise in effective communication. Edsger Dijkstra said that "Besides a mathematical inclination, an exceptionally good mastery of one's native tongue is the most vital asset of a competent programmer." This means being able to write down a description of a problem or a solution in a clear and concise way. This is the test I would use if I hired people (not only programmers). At my job I have noticed that quite a few people cannot write proper sentences or are way too verbose in their writing.

soneca 3y ago
> ”… an exceptionally good mastery of one's native tongue …” Does that imply that one cannot be a competent programmer if working on an environment where the spoken tongue is not their native one?
- ineptech 3y ago
  No, I'm 90% certain both Dijkstra and OP meant that what's critical is mastery of any tongue. In context, he was talking about what makes someone good at programming, not about the need to contribute to a team or communicate ideas. https://www.cs.virginia.edu/~evans/cs655/readings/ewd498.html https://www.cs.virginia.edu/~evans/cs655/readings/ewd498.htm...
- jdbernard 3y ago
  I don't think so. I think the core of Djikstra's thought is that mastery of your native tongue coincides with strong communication skill and ability to logically organize and present thoughts. You can articulate your thoughts and do so in a way that others can understand. Working outside your native tongue may add hurdles, but from my experience having worked with brilliant people who's native tongue is not English, those hurdles can be overcome. The skills still translate.
- RugnirViking 3y ago
  Presumably the point is not the specific emphasis on your native tongue exactly, but rather a mastery beyond what might be regularly implied by mastery of a language (able to converse like a local) and rather mastery unique even among native speakers (able to convey ideas many different ways with a particular glibness that others can easily understand)

soneca 3y ago

> ”… an exceptionally good mastery of one's native tongue …” Does that imply that one cannot be a competent programmer if working on an environment where the spoken tongue is not their native one?

ineptech 3y ago
No, I'm 90% certain both Dijkstra and OP meant that what's critical is mastery of any tongue. In context, he was talking about what makes someone good at programming, not about the need to contribute to a team or communicate ideas. https://www.cs.virginia.edu/~evans/cs655/readings/ewd498.html https://www.cs.virginia.edu/~evans/cs655/readings/ewd498.htm...
jdbernard 3y ago
I don't think so. I think the core of Djikstra's thought is that mastery of your native tongue coincides with strong communication skill and ability to logically organize and present thoughts. You can articulate your thoughts and do so in a way that others can understand. Working outside your native tongue may add hurdles, but from my experience having worked with brilliant people who's native tongue is not English, those hurdles can be overcome. The skills still translate.
RugnirViking 3y ago
Presumably the point is not the specific emphasis on your native tongue exactly, but rather a mastery beyond what might be regularly implied by mastery of a language (able to converse like a local) and rather mastery unique even among native speakers (able to convey ideas many different ways with a particular glibness that others can easily understand)