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Music and Software Development

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  • D Offline
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    Don Fletcher
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Today I was looking at an article about Knuth and it had this quote from him in it: "Computer programming is an art form, like the creation of poetry or music" That made me think of the synthesizer keyboard I own, and the various music-related projects I have developed over the years - And a lot of the other developers I know are also involved in music. So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument? And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music? Comments anyone?

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    • D Don Fletcher

      Today I was looking at an article about Knuth and it had this quote from him in it: "Computer programming is an art form, like the creation of poetry or music" That made me think of the synthesizer keyboard I own, and the various music-related projects I have developed over the years - And a lot of the other developers I know are also involved in music. So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument? And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music? Comments anyone?

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      Ryan Binns
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Don Fletcher wrote:

      So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument?

      Me!! I have a piano, and up until recently, a trumpet, flute and guitar as well :rolleyes:

      Don Fletcher wrote:

      And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music?

      I've often wondered what the connection is. I have noticed that a lot of the best musicians are excellent at maths... as are many of the best software developers. I dunno, I'm sure there's a lot of theories around, but I'm not sure which ones are correct :)

      Ryan

      "Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"

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      • R Ryan Binns

        Don Fletcher wrote:

        So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument?

        Me!! I have a piano, and up until recently, a trumpet, flute and guitar as well :rolleyes:

        Don Fletcher wrote:

        And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music?

        I've often wondered what the connection is. I have noticed that a lot of the best musicians are excellent at maths... as are many of the best software developers. I dunno, I'm sure there's a lot of theories around, but I'm not sure which ones are correct :)

        Ryan

        "Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"

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        joelgarabedian
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        I've pondered this matter before too. Well done for bringing it up here :) I attended the East Sussex Academy of Music before deciding that programming would provide a more steady income. I've been working as a programmer for a game developer in the UK for the last five years. A large proportion of the other programmers I work with are also proficient in at least one musical instrument. My main instrument is the piano (ABRSM Grade VIII), but I also play drums, bass, clarinet, and a bit of guitar. Merry Christmas to all at CP :-D Joel.

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        • D Don Fletcher

          Today I was looking at an article about Knuth and it had this quote from him in it: "Computer programming is an art form, like the creation of poetry or music" That made me think of the synthesizer keyboard I own, and the various music-related projects I have developed over the years - And a lot of the other developers I know are also involved in music. So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument? And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music? Comments anyone?

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          W Offline
          Weiye Chen
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Don Fletcher wrote:

          Today I was looking at an article about Knuth and it had this quote from him in it: "Computer programming is an art form, like the creation of poetry or music"

          Based on that statement, i agree. I like to be called an software artist. :cool:

          Don Fletcher wrote:

          And a lot of the other developers I know are also involved in music. So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument?

          I dont own or play any musical instruments but i do like to listen to music. Can't do work without it.

          Don Fletcher wrote:

          And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent?

          Depends on how you define Master/Guru. I believe in order to excel, you have to think out of the box, think differently from the usual. Perhaps that can be called a born 'talent'. :~

          Weiye Chen Give me the Death Note, and I'll cleanse the world...

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          • D Don Fletcher

            Today I was looking at an article about Knuth and it had this quote from him in it: "Computer programming is an art form, like the creation of poetry or music" That made me think of the synthesizer keyboard I own, and the various music-related projects I have developed over the years - And a lot of the other developers I know are also involved in music. So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument? And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music? Comments anyone?

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            peterchen
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            I see it more like the work of a marble sculptor: 5% art and 95% skill and sweat.


            Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Velopers, Develprs, Developers!
            We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
            Linkify!|Fold With Us!

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            • D Don Fletcher

              Today I was looking at an article about Knuth and it had this quote from him in it: "Computer programming is an art form, like the creation of poetry or music" That made me think of the synthesizer keyboard I own, and the various music-related projects I have developed over the years - And a lot of the other developers I know are also involved in music. So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument? And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music? Comments anyone?

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              Ravi Bhavnani
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Don Fletcher wrote:

              own a musical instrument?

              Piano and a few guitars.

              Don Fletcher wrote:

              good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent,

              Imho, yes. But like all vocations, one needs to possess an aptitude for the work. I often liken the craft of software engineering to cooking. While almost anyone can make a sandwich, there's a big difference between bologna stuck between a couple of slices of Wonder bread and this[^]. They're both sandwiches, but the latter requires skill to prepare and is more desirable. /ravi

              This is your brain on Celcius Home | Music | Articles | Freeware | Trips ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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              • D Don Fletcher

                Today I was looking at an article about Knuth and it had this quote from him in it: "Computer programming is an art form, like the creation of poetry or music" That made me think of the synthesizer keyboard I own, and the various music-related projects I have developed over the years - And a lot of the other developers I know are also involved in music. So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument? And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music? Comments anyone?

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                El Corazon
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Don Fletcher wrote:

                And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music?

                Well, I would agree that "some" programming is like art. I think programming straddles both science and art in many ways. To be truly good at many parts of programming, you would need both. But the field is also wide enough going from engineering work to graphics and games, that you could choose either side and fit still. When I worked at Bar-F (gas station accounting), the only art background I used was in UI development and since that was monochrome that was minor at most -- there was as much science to the UI (shortest data entry effort) as there was art (appearance). Debugging is more science than art in my opinion, but since I can't convince everyone to debug on my team now, and since I know both, I am a poor judge.... :sigh: Because I do 3D work, I know that my art background gives me an advantage over all the others. It's a niche I fill easily where as others struggle to understand how I can envision something and make it happen. But when push comes to shove, I would call it a "creative" process rather than an art process for most of programming. Hit the creative boot camp, and boost your programming ability. :-D oh yeah... and native american flute here. :-D or at least the attempt to play...

                _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

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                • D Don Fletcher

                  Today I was looking at an article about Knuth and it had this quote from him in it: "Computer programming is an art form, like the creation of poetry or music" That made me think of the synthesizer keyboard I own, and the various music-related projects I have developed over the years - And a lot of the other developers I know are also involved in music. So I was wondering how many of you out there own a musical instrument? And does this support the theory that good software development is something that can be taught to a certain extent, but to become a Master/Guru/et al you have to be born with the talent? (or at least "an ear" for it?)...and if you're good at software does it also mean you're good at music? Comments anyone?

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                  Chris S Kaiser
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  Drums, guitar, bass, and a couple of hand drums. I do think that to a certain extent that the design of software can be an art form. Don't know about typing syntax. Also, following up on the sandwich analogy, coding might be more like following the recipe for the sandwich, whilst designing the sandwich is more of an art form, like designing an elegant system.

                  What's in a sig? This statement is false. Build a bridge and get over it. ~ Chris Maunder

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