Subj : Re: Software Job Market Myths To : comp.programming,comp.software-eng From : adaworks Date : Mon Aug 15 2005 03:51 pm "Robert Maas, see http://tinyurl.com/uh3t" wrote in message news:REM-2005aug11-004@Yahoo.Com... > > I can teach just about anyone how to write software the easy way, if > they have a few hours to spend with me and will pay attention and > actually type stuff at the keyboard during that time. > We must be a little careful about this kind of thing. I have seen people who could learn the algorithmic model, learn a language, and learn the basics of programming and actually produce fairly decent code who did not have the aptitude to be real programmers. Real programmers? Real programmers are not people who simply grind out source code. The concern is not simply solving the problem but designing a program that anticipates what can go wrong. Upwards of eighty to ninety percent of a program might be devoted to various kinds of error checking and other kinds of housekeeping activities intended to ensure consistent correct operation of the program through every possible combination of occurrences. This kind of anticipatory code requires experience. Novice programmers frequently fail to understand the range of things that can go wrong. In fact, all too many programmers with years of experience under their belt still overestimate their own infallibility. Rare is the programmer who can create a perfect program every time on the first try - other than something trivial. The one thing that makes me suspicious of a candidate programmer is excessive bravado -- excessive confidence in his/her ability to create excellent code. We all make stupid mistakes. Programming is ultimately an exercise in humility. That is why we put so many validation and verification steps into every stage of the process. Richard Riehle .