Non-Myths of Programming

The July, 2011, issue of CACM has this interesting article on the Non-Myths of Programming. If you are a member, don’t skip.

Both kids study science and engineering, neither of them ventured into software or computer. I have curiously inquired the reasons and they, for large parts, matched these non-myths.

• Non-Myth #1: Programming is Boring
• Non-Myth #2: You Spend Most of Your Working Life in Front of a Computer Screen
• Non-Myth #3: You Have to Work Long Hours
• Non-Myth #4: Programming Is Asocial
• Non-Myth #5: Programming Is Only for Those Who Think Logically
• Non-Myth #6: Software Is Being Outsourced
• Non-Myth #7. Programming Is a Well-Paid Profession

Dr. Mordechai (Moti) Ben-Ari, the author, stated perfectly. These, except for #2 and #7, are true for practically all professions: legal, medicine, arts, or sports. To excel in any of these, one must specialize and practice for years with such devotion that the practitioner will become asocial. And honestly, which jobs you know do not require staring at the computer screen for long time and not threatened to be outsourced?

This brings back to #7. The fact is software engineering remains to be a very well-paid job for people with average aptitude in this field, compared to, say, arts and sport. An average professional artist or athlete makes very little, although the top talents earn handsomely. Yes, arts and sports are probably immune from being outsourced, but count the number of them that are not working the second job to make a living.

The young generation, and there is always one such thing, wants stimulating, challenging, well-paying jobs that are fun and with lots of opportunities to hang out with friends. They saw the most successful ones: President Obama, Oscar winners, gold medalists, world champions, platinum album sellers, etc. and want to be just like that. Unlike those days of Bill Joy and Marc Andreessen, software has become mundane. No longer can kids in a garage change the world just like that. It is easier, and funner, to compete for American Idols.

And we taught them, “If you set your mind to it, there is nothing you cannot achieve.” For example, there is nothing wrong to practice basketball, instead of studying, for the dream of making NBA draft. Only that some paths are perilously difficult and, statistically, break too way too many spirits and ruined too many lives.

Sigh… Pragmatism kills dreams.