Talk:Programming
From iA wiki
Talk about software plug-in, extensibility, modularity etc etc.. speak about the unix concepts of small and specialized program and library components which can be chained together. Speak about the other side of that coin, where software with wider abilities have been made for ease of end-user use (Mozilla, the DOS/Windows legacy, etc) -- rack
One of the biggest issues i have with "hackers" is that they consider programming to be an art. That annoys me so much i can't even begin. When you program something you are given a spec and there is One Best Way to implement it. There's no room for being "artistic". If engineers building bridges were "artistic" the damn bridges would fall down all the time, and the same is true with programming. -- Amw
- I see your point. What about elegant programming? What about design trade-offs between aesthetics, complexity and security - ABliss
- I object! As perl users always say TMTOWTDI (There's more than one way to do it). There are multitudes of ways to approach programming problems, and they all have their benefits and pitfalls -- there is not the One Best Way. For example, you could write the most unintelligible (code-wise), yet most efficient web server ever. This would be great for people who need a super efficient web server, but it would be virtually impossible to extend. On the other hand, you could write an elegantly modularized server that allows for easy extension; this would probably be much better for the general user in the long run. The "art" of programming is weighing the technical choices (and knowing about those choices to begin with) and coming up with the best combination you can for the task at hand, then coding it correctly and cleanly (also a craft). Essentially, a good programmer, like an artist, must know their tools well and make the most of the tools at hand. crtn
I would suggest that beauty is not exclusively about self-expression and being haphazard that would bring down bridges, many of which are considered quite beautiful. A sculptor cannot deny the laws of physics or his sculpture will fall and, while a painter can depict impossible things, he cannot make them come off the canvas.
I don't know if this applies to software developers but I do know it is possible to comment and indent code in a way that is more beautiful than just blocks of unseparated text. Webfork
The thing I love about programming is that it is what is changing the world. Its some computer code which will cause the elites to succumb, to lose control and to finally get more democracy. Its so great and here at iA, we have a box seat. I want nothing less than the complete and utter loss of control of all information. I'm very grateful to those generous providers. Keep it up guys and girls, your doing one hell of a job. - ABliss
