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You're saying that just because someone doesn't have a specific set of domain knowledge they can't be an 'A player' in the domain they do have knowledge in. Th

by Zimahl 14y ago

You're saying that just because someone doesn't have a specific set of domain knowledge they can't be an 'A player' in the domain they do have knowledge in. This simply isn't true. Using an analogy, even though Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan play golf, Michael Jordan can't be an 'A player' in basketball even though that's his domain, not golf. Are backend developers that have only a cursory domain knowledge of the front end not 'A players'?

xaa 14y ago
A better analogy might be two different positions in basketball: shooting guard and center. To some degree, the two positions specialize: SG doesn't need to block shots (let's say), while the center does. However, everyone needs to dribble. A simple CS concept like recursion is analogous to dribbling. If you can't dribble, you're not playing basketball. If you don't know what recursion is, you're not a professional. Period.
fghh45sdfhr3 14y ago
Are backend developers that have only a cursory domain knowledge of the front end not 'A players'? I would say that if have no interest in what is literally half of the internet, it does not matter how good you are at the back end, you are not an A player. And computer science isn't just another domain. We're not talking php vs python here. This is about the fundamental nature of the work you do. Yes, even as a JS slinger, you still have the exact same computing fundamentals to deal with. It's not like basketball and golf, it's like basic athleticism. No you can't be an A basketball player if you don't have a minimum of athleticism. And the same is true for almost all sports. The fundamentals of computer science are to developers like cardio is to athletes.
- Zimahl 14y ago
  I would say that if have no interest in what is literally half of the internet, it does not matter how good you are at the back end, you are not an A player. There are very few people who could have enough knowledge of all the domains of CS to be an 'A player' in your definition. This is about the fundamental nature of the work you do. Yes, even as a JS slinger, you still have the exact same computing fundamentals to deal with. Not sure if you are literally targeting me, but I am a backend developer who does a fair share of UI. I frankly despise JS but live with it nonetheless.

by Zimahl 14y ago

xaa 14y ago

A better analogy might be two different positions in basketball: shooting guard and center. To some degree, the two positions specialize: SG doesn't need to block shots (let's say), while the center does. However, everyone needs to dribble. A simple CS concept like recursion is analogous to dribbling. If you can't dribble, you're not playing basketball. If you don't know what recursion is, you're not a professional. Period.

fghh45sdfhr3 14y ago

Are backend developers that have only a cursory domain knowledge of the front end not 'A players'? I would say that if have no interest in what is literally half of the internet, it does not matter how good you are at the back end, you are not an A player. And computer science isn't just another domain. We're not talking php vs python here. This is about the fundamental nature of the work you do. Yes, even as a JS slinger, you still have the exact same computing fundamentals to deal with. It's not like basketball and golf, it's like basic athleticism. No you can't be an A basketball player if you don't have a minimum of athleticism. And the same is true for almost all sports. The fundamentals of computer science are to developers like cardio is to athletes.

Zimahl 14y ago
I would say that if have no interest in what is literally half of the internet, it does not matter how good you are at the back end, you are not an A player. There are very few people who could have enough knowledge of all the domains of CS to be an 'A player' in your definition. This is about the fundamental nature of the work you do. Yes, even as a JS slinger, you still have the exact same computing fundamentals to deal with. Not sure if you are literally targeting me, but I am a backend developer who does a fair share of UI. I frankly despise JS but live with it nonetheless.