I often wonder if the problem with programming (or software engineering, if you prefer) is that we're still in the stage of where builders were in the middle ag

I often wonder if the problem with programming (or software engineering, if you prefer) is that we're still in the stage of where builders were in the middle ages. We assume the model of a "master builder" that has to know every aspect of every part of the process of building something new. Compare that to today where trades people specialize in one part of construction and hone it to a fine point. How many of us would hire an electrician to fix our plumbing, or a roofer to hang drywall? Maybe in the future this will be what happens to software development: you'll bring in a UI trade to implement the UI, a database trade, a caching trade, etc. People who've taken years to fully understand their niche of software construction very well. The other issue we don't have to face is any governmental enforcement of building codes (yet). When you install wiring in a building, you can't just run it however might be "cool" or "new". There are a variety of rules, that come from best practices developed over many years, that are followed. Imagine if before a client or a customer would accept a finished app if it had to pass inspection by a 3rd party for compliance with these "codes". I think we'd see a lot of the current state of development fall away pretty quickly. The newbies who won't take time to learn their craft, or quickly jump from new toy to new toy without learning any very well would be under pressure to change or leave the field.