If you didn't get paid for it, would you still write code? [modified]

Simon P Stevens · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

Yes, I do. I get paid to write code at work. Then I go home, and I write code that I don't get paid for. Not the same stuff - work projects aren't interesting enough, at home I try out new things, or languages, and have occasional projects that I never finish. Often what I do at home leads into future work projects. I first started playing with WPF at home because I thought it was cool, then a project came along that was suited to what I'd learnt at home. If I wasn't a professional developer, I would still continue the home coding, but maybe I'd finished those projects once in a while.

Simon

leppie · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

I will, but not for the person paying me ;P

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Rajesh R Subramanian · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

If personal projects count, then yes.

“Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell

Simon_Whale · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

Yes But like the others have I try things out at home and i dont mind doing favours so that i can learn new things as long as they dont expect it like i was working full time for them

Keith Barrow · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

Of course.

Dalek Dave: There are many words that some find offensive, Homosexuality, Alcoholism, Religion, Visual Basic, Manchester United, Butter. Pete o'Hanlon: If it wasn't insulting tools, I'd say you were dumber than a bag of spanners.

super · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

No, In free time I would indulge in other hobbies like photography or gardening

cheers, Super ------------------------------------------ Too much of good is bad,mix some evil in it

realJSOP · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

yes.

.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
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J Dunlap · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

I'd probably spend most of my time doing whatever else was my main occupation, but I'd definitely still program, as a hobby in its own right, but also to support my other hobbies - for example I've been known to write scripts to run on my Canon camera.

R Giskard Reventlov · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

It's what I did before someone really, really stupid offered to pay me money to do it so, yes, I'd do it for fun. Who wouldn't?

me, me, me "The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program. And if we become extinct because we don't have a space program, it'll serve us right!" Larry Niven

4277480 · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

Yes more projects to add on resume.

PSK_

If you are not getting paid then why to make a resume? :)

WWW, WCF, WWF, WPF, WFC .... WTF

Rage · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

No. Kids have priority.

Lost User

I am surprised. I would have thought you too interested in other things. Personally although I like sw engineering I wouldnt do it unless it had a purpose. It is like an engineer endlessly designing and building things no one wanted. I would much rather build a light aircraft. Or a ground effect aircraft, or build a cylinder head to a new design I thought of many many years ago with rotary vales. I also have in mind a large planing catameran. I would also do a lot more with music,, and cooking. I would rather run a restaurant then code for no reason. Coding makes money. And I do it well in order to make more money.

Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription

Chris C B · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

Absolutely yes. Programming is an excellent cerebral exercise, and the brain a use-it-or-lose-it device. Unless I were to find an equivalent mental challenge, I would consider it essential. (Struggling with the daily CCC just doesn't hack it! :laugh: )

Mustafa Ismail Mustafa · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

Without a doubt. I'm in this for business and pleasure, so why not pleasure alone? Sometimes these days because I have other priorities I don't get to do as much fun coding as I would have wanted, but I assure you, once those pressures are eased off, I'll get to spend more free time on fun stuff like coding :)

If the post was helpful, please vote, eh! Current activities: Book: Devils by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Project: Hospital Automation, final stage Learning: Image analysis, LINQ Now and forever, defiant to the end. What is Multiple Sclerosis[^]?

R Giskard Reventlov

Coding was a hobby long before I made money at it and I still enjoy it - even after 327 years. :-)

fat_boy wrote:

I would have thought you too interested in other things.

Like what, for instance? I'm curious as to what you're thinking. I also have many other hobbies and sports - if I didn't need the money I might increase my time with those and lessen my time with programming but I would never stop doing it. Will definitely restore a classic car at some time - maybe a Lotus or Jensen Healey or E-Type.

fat_boy wrote:

I would rather run a restaurant

I've always fancied owning a hotel or restaurant but I'll never do it: too much like hard work!

me, me, me "The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program. And if we become extinct because we don't have a space program, it'll serve us right!" Larry Niven

4277480

Because thats what I do irl, I have a stable job and I write code for family,friends aka fun projects, and sometimes employers who can't afford the market rate. So mentioning the ones that count as projects/experience should be mentioned even though I don't get paid for them. Why make a resume you ask? because its the attached price tag of a person which needs to be updated constantly.

Gandalf_TheWhite · modified on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 4:57 AM

Yeah!! :thumbsup: However depend upon the mood. So, 4 from me, (-1 for the mood) ;)

Believe Yourself™

Gandalf_TheWhite

leppie wrote:

not for the person paying me

Exactly!! :cool:

Believe Yourself™

leppie

Gandalf - The White wrote:

Exactly!!

Hmm, that made me think about what I said. Logically, I will then code for the people that dont pay me, and if the person is not paying me, then that person is included in the list of 'beneficaries'! I should rephrase that probably to: "I will, but not for the person that is suppose to be paying me" :)

xacc.ide
IronScheme - 1.0 RC 1 - out now!
((λ (x) `(,x ',x)) '(λ (x) `(,x ',x))) The Scheme Programming Language – Fourth Edition