Subj : Re: Not debugging?
To   : comp.programming,comp.lang.java.programmer,comp.lang.lisp
From : Ulrich Hobelmann
Date : Wed Aug 24 2005 11:42 am

Roedy Green wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 14:53:44 -0700, rem642b@Yahoo.Com (Robert Maas,
> see http://tinyurl.com/uh3t) wrote or quoted :
> 
>> I suppose it depends on what you consider "debugging".
> 
> Debugging is fun. Programs behave strangely.  You get to perform
> experiments, make hypotheses, and gradually track down the problem. It
> is like an Ruth Rendell mystery novel.

You think it's fun if all you *really* want is a working program, to 
poke its innards until you find the tumor?  For hours maybe?

> Debugging is far more entertaining than cranking out code that works
> first time.  I think people are sometimes unconsciously careless just
> to gives themselves that challenge later.

More entertaining that constructing a program, a living entity that 
actually *does* something useful (hopefully)?  That's like *walking* to 
work if it takes you 20 minutes just by car...

> This may also be the root of why programmers are so reluctant to use
> any sort of tools that accelerate, automate or check programming.

Two reasons: learning curve and black magic.  Show me a tool that boots 
productivity while still being intuitive, easy to learn, and transparent 
to see what the hell it does in the background and I'll take it.

-- 
I believe in Karma.  That means I can do bad things to people
all day long and I assume they deserve it.
	Dogbert

.