Subj : Re: Are programmers like this in the real world?
To   : comp.programming
From : Randy
Date : Mon Jul 25 2005 01:21 pm

EricF wrote:
....
> 
> Most programmers work with business applications and don't need to be computer 
> scientists or mathmeticians. Most of us don't write operating systems or 
> compilers.
....
> 
> Eric

In fact, "most" should probably read "almost all" -- 90% of professional
programmers work in business.  (Searching dice.com or careerbuilder.com
will verify this.)  That 90% needs to understand Java web services
(increasingly), databases, simple data structures, and how to build menu
interfaces.  But most of all, they need to understand the process of
developing software that serves the need of the customer, whatever those
may be.  They *don't* need to understand compilers, networking
internals, kernels, AI, CS theory, calculus, language theory, scientific
computing, graphics, O/S internals, or all of the CS curriculum that is
taught after the sophomore year.

These students best acquire the skills they do need by taking courses in
programs *outside* of CS -- in IT or IS programs that attempt to combine
the necessary software skills with basic business skills.  It's probably
the right approach in preparing the vast majority of programmers for the
work they really do.

Ironically, in my experience, the best programmers almost never enroll
in IS/IT programs.  Employers know this.  Therefore, if a business wants
to hire the smartest kids, it has to hire from a pool of folks whose
degrees are less than ideal to serve its needs -- CS, physics,
mathematics, music.  Or folks who never went to college...

That's why you'll be disappointed by the caliber of students in intro
programming courses.  The CS kids can't take them (since they're outside
their curriculum), and the engineers and scientists generally pick up
these skills in an engineering course that combines the language with
numerical programming (like fortran, or increasingly, <ugh> C++ and Java
</ugh>).

Try to sit in on an CS 101 course, or visit the course's web page, if
you want to see programming instruction that doesn't bore the pants off
you.  For example, visit MIT's 6.001: "Structure and Interpretation of
Computer Programs":

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Electrical-Engineering-and-Computer-Science/6-001Structure-and-Interpretation-of-Computer-ProgramsFall2002/CourseHome/index.htm

    Randy

-- 
Randy Crawford   http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~rand   rand AT rice DOT edu

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