I’m An Artist
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Recently, I have found myself having to almost unlearn what I was taught during university! It’s hard to explain, but I think the ball park issue is that software is thought of as a manufacturing process rather than an art. From a language point of view, there appears to be an unspoken belief that constraining a developer will lead to better code. Java is a nice example of constraining (multiple inheritence through interfaces, typed language, no operator overloading, etc) development style. It is very “enterprise” geared as it provides a nice safety net at the bottom, but this results in a low ceiling. CTO’s all over the world feel warm and fuzzy knowing their monkeys are well contained.
The advantage to constraining is that the worst developer can’t do too much damage. The problem with constraining is that the best developers can’t shine. *Here’s the kicker… if code output is greater than linearly related to skill, then hindering the best developers may well cost more than catching the worst developers!*
I saw a documentary that detailed Michelangelo’s David. Did you know he hand picked the block of marble from a rock face, and then “revealed” the statue from that block? If he were a software developer in 2006 he’d be given a block of playdough, safety scissors, and free reign to “do his worst”.
I’m not a machine, and I’m not a monkey. I aspire to cut code like Michelangelo cut David. I draw beauty from logic. These days I’m an artist of logic and not a carbon based robot.
The sun’s out, birds are chirping, and the grass is green. You’re welcome to join me if you like :)
