An important difference is that in programming, it is often better to do the same thing with less code (result). I don't mean producing cryptic code-golf-style

An important difference is that in programming, it is often better to do the same thing with less code (result). I don't mean producing cryptic code-golf-style code, but the aspect that all the stuff you produce you have to maintain. This is certainly different from a novel author who doesn't care so much about maintenance and is probably more concerned about the emotions that his text is producing.