Subj : Re: do serious programmers have a life?
To   : comp.lang.c++,comp.programming
From : Ed Prochak
Date : Fri Sep 23 2005 01:33 pm


Phlip wrote:
> amanda992004 wrote:
>
> > Excluding the factors of the brain capability, i.e I am not asking
> > about this factor, if you are a single, aside from enjoying coding or
> > debugging,  how do you make time to eat properly, i.e healthily w/o
> > spending big bucks at special healthy food places and also take care of
> > life's daily chores w/o feeling like a robot.  Any time for social
> > activites with people other than programmers?
> >
> > Is feeling like a robot a typical description of a programmer's life?
>
> How many hours do you work?
>
> The myth that programmers can or should work more than 8 hours a day is
> tragic, and is responsible for an incredible amount of lost productivity,
> bugs, etc. (But heck, at least we don't cut off the wrong limb like
> overworked doctors do...)

tell that to the victims of the Therac 25. Software is used in safety
critical systems (e.g., Airbus fly-by-wire). Some systems can kill.


>
> When you work, as you get tired, you cross a point where you are not adding
> value but removing value from a program. Go home.

yes!


> Programmers should go home on time and have a life.
>
> --
>   Phlip
>   http://www.greencheese.org/ZeekLand  <-- NOT a blog!!!

Programming does not mean being glued to a keyboard. I know programmers
that play music, or mountain climb, or have families, or many other
things.

My self: I also sing in church choir, go running, do chores at home
(currently staining my deck), as well as a little programming.

So like the Karate kid, you need Balance!

enjoy,
  ed

.