Re: not enough real programmers? (was Re: Byte Magazine: 18 Vintage issues, 1985-1986)

[hshubs@mindspring.com (Howard S Shubs)]

In article <87k8r5imnc.fsf@darkstar.cis.ohio-state.edu>, Shaun Rowland
<rowland@cis.ohio-state.edu> wrote:

>That's great, but it doesn't necessarily indicate that you are no
>longer in it for the hack.

Perhaps you're right.  I can't tell at the moment 'cause I've recently
been pounding on ancient FORTRAN for most of the last two years, and my
soul needs work.  Still, I'm not doing anything on this Mac development
system right here in front of me, all paid for, so I'm not sure I -am- in
it for the hack.  I -wish- I was, as that'd give me more joy.


>Mostly by AOL users today however :-) That was a joke, but somehow
>true I find.  I am not making a broad generalization however.

Okie dokey.


>Thank you for sharing your opinions on Open Source with us.  This does
>not negate the fact that this can be a good indication of someone who
>is really focused on the hack.  This can be important.  If someone
>came to me and said "I maintain this open source software..." I would
>go and have a look at it.  The code would be useful in determining if
>they have a clue or not.  This would also be an indication of a
>greater commitment to the art.

I tend to bring sample code to interviews these days, but I'll admit that
having something in the middle of Linux or whatever would be a Good Thing
in the same way that doing volunteer work is a Good Thing.


>Heh.  People use Windows?  I understand your points, but I still think
>the original thoughts make good tests in determining if someone will
>be ay good at the art they are practicing.

My real point is that the original question, "how do you find a Real
Programmer" is valid, very difficult, and remains unanswered.  I've been
given such tests in the past, and I've frozen up.  Does that prove that
I'm not a good programmer?  No, it proves that, in a high pressure
situation such as an interview, I may not be in the state of being to do
actual work.

The questions given were a heuristic, and IMO not a particularly good one,
for filtering out those who didn't belong.

If anybody can find a real way to determine if someone is a Real
Programmer, the IEEE, the ACM, and many university departments would like
to speak with you.
-- 
Howard S Shubs      hshubs@mindspring.com    hshubs@bix.com
The Denim Adept     Is this the right room for an argument?
SPAM: uce@ftc.gov   postmaster@[127.0.0.1]   abuse@[127.0.0.1]