Re: To a Programmer or Instructor

From: Paul Hsieh (qed_at_pobox.com)
Date: 03/24/04 

Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 23:38:26 GMT

tee_dogg54@hotmail.com says...
> Alright, here are my questions, thank you to those who answer. It is
> alright to be general on the first couple questions if you want by
> just putting first name and just the state where you live if
> necessary.
>
> Name:

Paul Hsieh
 
> Age:

34
 
> Location:

San Jose, California.
 
> College Attended:
 
Waterloo and Toronto.
 
> About how many years of college are necessary for success in this
> field?:
 
Without a degree its hard to find work.
 
> What got you interested in programming?:
 
The idea of *taming* the computer which would be the eventual brains behind our
future robot masters! That way *I* would be able to rule the universe!
MUHAHAHAHAH!
 
> Is there a certain person who helped you pick your career?:
 
No.
 
> How long have you been working in this field?:

Since 93 I guess. I've been programming semi-seriously since about 1984.
 
> List several reasons why other people might want to try this field:
 
Because they think its a good job with good pay. (Not realizing that all
computer programming is soon going to be out sourced to India.)
 
> List several reasons why other people might not want to try this
> field:
 
1. They do not have sufficient competency.
2. Computers don't appeal to them.
3. They feel that there are social barriers in the IT world.

Of course you could argue these are really all the same reason.
 
> Why is this field important in the world today?:
 
Computers are not yet smart enough to program themselves. Once they are,
humanity will be doomed, BTW.
 
> Your personal favorite part of this job:
 
I can apply what smartitude I have.
 
> Your least favorite part of this job:
 
People are too blind to see fundamental flaws in the programming culture today.
This prevents people from understanding the difference between a hack, and a
solution. I guess there is less theory in the world of programming than there
needs to be, and this is what causes non-optimal implementations.

> Would you suggest someone else choose this career path?:
> Any advice to others seeking this career?:

If you cannot get over the 3 reasons I listed above for reasons one might not
want to enter this field, then stay out. Otherwise, I welcome you.
  

--
Paul Hsieh
http://www.pobox.com/~qed/
http://bstring.sf.net/

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