Lately, I've been reading a lot about managers finding out their programmers can't write code. I've also seen a lot of emphasis in web search statistics regarding interview questions. I've decided to set up this topic to reference all of the anecdotal evidence I come across, as well as jotting down my own experiences.
The long and the short of it is that most development jobs demand programmers that can read and write proper English as well as program. While there are some rock star programmers that develop games or become deities in the profession, most of us are grunts that have to communicate with management, customers and our peers.
ReferencesHow much does it cost to hire a good programmer? Pretty realistic assessment. It ain't cheap.
How to Find Crappy Programmers At first this was funny. Rereading it, it wasn't so funny. The third time through, the truth hurts - badly.
A Coverage Metric That Matters ht to
unclebobmartinThe Most Annoying Habit Of A Software ManagerWhatever happened to programming?Whatever happened to programming, redux: it may not be as bad as all thatWhy can't programmer's... program?You Can't Teach Height - Measuring Programmer Competence via FizzBuzzWhy can't programmer's... read?Using FizzBuzz to Find Developers who Grok CodingWhat Makes a Good Programmer?Don't Go DarkInterviews with Average Programmers (hat tip to
John)
How to recognise a good programmer (hat tip to John)
On The Value Of Fundamentals In Software DevelopmentLearn how to write user storiesMy Own Thoughtsgharris, 2011/09/14 13:36 Don't go dark. Once you lose interest in coding, making a comeback is a steep climb. Stay active and stay interested.
codewiz51, 2011/03/16 21:28 Staying up all night testing is better than standing up all day in the unemployment line.
codewiz51, 2010/06/09 20:22 via
@SQLDumbass, while referring to
testing: "What could be more fun than deploying straight to production and getting everyone together to figure out how to make it work?"
codewiz51, 2010/06/06 11:09 While I was still trying to be a chemist, way back in the 70's, a marketing director told me: "If you want to move up in the company, get yourself a Harvard MBA or play scratch golf." I still believe golf lessons are a better investment in your future than continuing education.
codewiz51, 2010/06/04 10:43 From
sbolen on twitter: "New word of the day in a meeting: "optionality" (and, no, I've no damned idea what it means either)"
codewiz51, 2010/05/22 09:27 If you are managing a project, you must fight the tendency to build an empire. Multiple management levels do not beget successful projects.
codewiz51, 2010/04/27 12:28 I am not a
resource! I am an
asset!
Remember that, you, you, you manager!codewiz51, 2010/04/18 19:22 Unfortunately, this isn't my own thought. It's from a comment to a post by Mike Taylor. It sums up a lot of my own thinking. The details are different, but the thought is pure.
My biggest gripe with modern programming is the sheer volume of arbitrary stuff I need to know. My current project has so far required me to know about Python, Django, Google App Engine and it’s datastore, XHTML, CSS, JQuery, Javascript, JSON, and a clutch of XML schema, APIs and the like. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for all of it, but it just doesn’t seem like what I was promised when I followed SICP for the first time. It just feels like I spend most of my time scouring through documentation and trying to remember umpteen different sets of syntax and class names rather than actually thinking in code.
codewiz51, 2010/04/15 21:29 Even it you aren't using Agile, learn how to write user stories. Improve your user story skills throughout the life of your project. You'll write better software if you understand your user.
codewiz51, 2010/04/05 10:51 I am not a big believer in helper tools, add-ins and code generators. I think you are better off really learning the base tool. My advice is become and expert, don't depend on helper tools that distract you from development.
codewiz51, 2010/03/25 14:16 Choosing a life of programming means you will be studying enough material to earn the equivalent of a new associate degree every 2 to 3 yrs.
codewiz51, 2010/03/26 20:27 Show up for work on time and give your company $1.10 in work for every $1.00 you earn.
codewiz51, 2010/03/26 20:27 Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and concentrate on being the best programmer you can be.
codewiz51, 2010/03/26 22:47 This line was said in jest by SQLDumbass on twitter. There is a very large grain of truth in it. "Hey, you start coding and I'll go get the requirements." This trap is deep and the bottom is covered in sharp stones.
codewiz51, 2010/03/29 22:23 Read the software requirements document more than once. In fact, read it often. Avoid the feeling of "pit in the stomach."
codewiz51, 2010/04/01 06:52 What is your iceberg? The hidden experience that sets a programmer apart.