Re: OT: The Geek defense

In article <mhjds31tvl7jbd2qak9i6jomifqi5sk2q3@xxxxxxx>,
Howard Brazee <howard@xxxxxxxxxx> writes:
On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:19:18 GMT, "Michael Mattias"
<mmattias@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

However, many of the modern development tools/environments allow
"developers" to create applications without ever learning those
fundamentals. A few clicks, a few drags, a few drops and presto! you can
call yourself a programmer.

With no such tools available, people of our generation HAD to learn the
fundamentals, so for us changing languages or development environments is
pretty straightforward... except when we find ourselves in one of these
newfangled IDEs where fundamentals don't matter.

Of course, each generation redefines "fundamentals" in industries that
change. Back in the day, people said that if you only knew assembly
language, you missed the fundamentals of machine language. Then
compilers came along.

Which didn't change the truth of the first statement.


Fundamentals such as using manual transmissions "don't matter" to most
drivers today.

I wouldn't consider that fundamental to driving a car. Knowing the
functions of the pedals is. One does not need to know how a computer
works to generate an executable from a source file. One does in order
to be a programmer.

bill

--
Bill Gunshannon | de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n. Three wolves
billg999@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
University of Scranton |
Scranton, Pennsylvania | #include <std.disclaimer.h>
.

Relevant Pages

  • RE: VBA Learning Resources
    ... I still use my copy of the Acess 2000 Developers Handbook extensively. ... Training so that I can get up to speed on the fundamentals of developing VBA ... myself and educate myself quickly and efficiently. ...
    (microsoft.public.access.modulesdaovba)
  • Re: OT: The Geek defense
    ... "developers" to create applications without ever learning those ... fundamentals, so for us changing languages or development environments is ... language, you missed the fundamentals of machine language. ... Fundamentals such as using manual transmissions "don't matter" to most ...
    (comp.lang.cobol)
  • Re: Overflowing a Long
    ... fundamentals than objects alone. ... Considering MSBasic is/was, at its core, a learning language (albeit one that could ... Optional ByVal LockMode As LockModeEnum, ... Dim intFileNum As Integer ...
    (microsoft.public.vb.general.discussion)
  • Re: The Big Bang Machine
    ... A lack of understanding of the fundamentals of cinematic grammar, ... The camera should not do anything to draw attention to the fact ... that we, the viewers, are looking at the subject matter through a piece ... natural movement of something in the scene to prompt the camera move. ...
    (uk.tech.broadcast)
  • Re: Whidbey - Why is refactoring not in VB.NET?
    ... matter of what language you feel more confortable with' ... > pity since it's the most capable language. ... > developers are ... > diversification of MS .Net language productivity features, ...
    (microsoft.public.vsnet.general)