When did Programmers become Developers?
-
So I've thought about this for a little bit today I quite like using the term Developer, its generic yet says exactly what we do, Develop stuff. Though is there really any difference to programmers and is the term programmer obselete in the modern world? I remember reading this article Don't Call Yourself A Programmer, And Other Career Advice. So my question is, what should it be, developer, programmer and which do you prefer?
Simon Lee Shugar (Software Developer) www.simonshugar.co.uk "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper" - Robert Alton Harris
Deep in the mists of time ... When I started in IT, or Data Processing as it was called, we had five basic life forms. At the processing end we had:
- the clerks producing the paper forms.
- the data prep girls who punched the form data onto paper tape or cards.
- the computer operators who fed the punched media into the computer and sent the printed reports back to the clerks.
None of this could happen without computer programs, which we operators fed into the computer from magnetic tape to start each processing job. The programs were created by two groups.
- the Systems Analysts who looked at the business requirements and broke them down into a series of logical steps.
- the programmers who converted the analysts' specifications into program source code, which was then compiled into a runnable program.
One of the benefits of such a system was full employment. :) In those days they were definitely just programmers, but now most programmers do much more than just coding so I think Developer or even Software Engineer is a much more valid title.
Use the best guess
-
Ah yes, that famous article, also known as "How To Get a Boring Job, And Other Career Advice". Developer has a vague smell of Real Estate about it, mixed with a little Delusions of Grandeur. Programmer describes exactly what you're doing: you're programming. You're not building something. Software is a not a building.
Quote:
Software is a not a building.
I kind of disagree with comment. You need designs, specifications and frameworks for both buildings and software. You need a team with certain skills to build the correct parts of both, they have very similar attributes. Though the question is how far does that extend.
Simon Lee Shugar (Software Developer) www.simonshugar.co.uk "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper" - Robert Alton Harris
-
Quote:
Software is a not a building.
I kind of disagree with comment. You need designs, specifications and frameworks for both buildings and software. You need a team with certain skills to build the correct parts of both, they have very similar attributes. Though the question is how far does that extend.
Simon Lee Shugar (Software Developer) www.simonshugar.co.uk "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper" - Robert Alton Harris
We (programmers) have overused that metaphor (which is what it is - a metaphor, not a description of what we're really doing) enormously. And I'm not really sure why. It applies to everything, not just programming, and it applies poorly everywhere (except when, you know, actually constructing a building). "Blueprints"? "Architect"? "Developing"? "Foundation"? "Framework"? Really guys?
-
So I've thought about this for a little bit today I quite like using the term Developer, its generic yet says exactly what we do, Develop stuff. Though is there really any difference to programmers and is the term programmer obselete in the modern world? I remember reading this article Don't Call Yourself A Programmer, And Other Career Advice. So my question is, what should it be, developer, programmer and which do you prefer?
Simon Lee Shugar (Software Developer) www.simonshugar.co.uk "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper" - Robert Alton Harris
When we discovered beer and bacon. I've developed quite a bit, in the years since I was called a programmer.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
-
Ah yes, that famous article, also known as "How To Get a Boring Job, And Other Career Advice". Developer has a vague smell of Real Estate about it, mixed with a little Delusions of Grandeur. Programmer describes exactly what you're doing: you're programming. You're not building something. Software is a not a building.
-
-
Ah yes, that famous article, also known as "How To Get a Boring Job, And Other Career Advice". Developer has a vague smell of Real Estate about it, mixed with a little Delusions of Grandeur. Programmer describes exactly what you're doing: you're programming. You're not building something. Software is a not a building.
Sure, a building is a physical thing while software is not - but surely you see the similarities? The reason for borrowing terms from the building trade is, I think, that there were no existing words to describe these new roles. If someone takes an idea, draws some plans which are agreed with the customer, then produces a final result which may comprise bot exiting 'standard ' components as well as possibly some unique components developed specifically for that solution then am I describing a software developer or a building developer?
MVVM # - I did it My Way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
-
We (programmers) have overused that metaphor (which is what it is - a metaphor, not a description of what we're really doing) enormously. And I'm not really sure why. It applies to everything, not just programming, and it applies poorly everywhere (except when, you know, actually constructing a building). "Blueprints"? "Architect"? "Developing"? "Foundation"? "Framework"? Really guys?
I think the why is that there are no existing words that describe the functions performed sufficiently well that non technical people will understand.
MVVM # - I did it My Way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
-
Ah yes, that famous article, also known as "How To Get a Boring Job, And Other Career Advice". Developer has a vague smell of Real Estate about it, mixed with a little Delusions of Grandeur. Programmer describes exactly what you're doing: you're programming. You're not building something. Software is a not a building.
-
Sure, a building is a physical thing while software is not - but surely you see the similarities? The reason for borrowing terms from the building trade is, I think, that there were no existing words to describe these new roles. If someone takes an idea, draws some plans which are agreed with the customer, then produces a final result which may comprise bot exiting 'standard ' components as well as possibly some unique components developed specifically for that solution then am I describing a software developer or a building developer?
MVVM # - I did it My Way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
Neither, it's a tattooist!
Reality is an illusion caused by a lack of alcohol "Nagy, you have won the internets." - Keith Barrow
-
So I've thought about this for a little bit today I quite like using the term Developer, its generic yet says exactly what we do, Develop stuff. Though is there really any difference to programmers and is the term programmer obselete in the modern world? I remember reading this article Don't Call Yourself A Programmer, And Other Career Advice. So my question is, what should it be, developer, programmer and which do you prefer?
Simon Lee Shugar (Software Developer) www.simonshugar.co.uk "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper" - Robert Alton Harris
At the time I studied in France we were so-called 'Analyst programmers' I still like that terms much more than the very generic 'developer'... Developer is not industry specific : sales are in 'Business development', some HR people are in 'career development' (or 'non-development' but that is another matter)... In the end every single product is the result of some development... so being developer means all and nothing at the same time.
Seulement, dans certains cas, n'est-ce pas, on n'entend guère que ce qu'on désire entendre et ce qui vous arrange le mieux... [^] Joe never complained of anything but ever did his duty in his way of life, with a strong hand, a quiet tongue, and a gentle heart [^]
-
So I've thought about this for a little bit today I quite like using the term Developer, its generic yet says exactly what we do, Develop stuff. Though is there really any difference to programmers and is the term programmer obselete in the modern world? I remember reading this article Don't Call Yourself A Programmer, And Other Career Advice. So my question is, what should it be, developer, programmer and which do you prefer?
Simon Lee Shugar (Software Developer) www.simonshugar.co.uk "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper" - Robert Alton Harris
-
... in CP profile settings !!!
Quick Homepage - www.FaceLaptop.com
-
Neither, it's a tattooist!
Reality is an illusion caused by a lack of alcohol "Nagy, you have won the internets." - Keith Barrow
Actually I thought you were a piss artist?
MVVM # - I did it My Way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
-
Actually I thought you were a piss artist?
MVVM # - I did it My Way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
Today I'm the navigator driver!
Reality is an illusion caused by a lack of alcohol "Nagy, you have won the internets." - Keith Barrow
-
So I've thought about this for a little bit today I quite like using the term Developer, its generic yet says exactly what we do, Develop stuff. Though is there really any difference to programmers and is the term programmer obselete in the modern world? I remember reading this article Don't Call Yourself A Programmer, And Other Career Advice. So my question is, what should it be, developer, programmer and which do you prefer?
Simon Lee Shugar (Software Developer) www.simonshugar.co.uk "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper" - Robert Alton Harris
"The Napster" :-D But seriously, it just doesn't matter because the contents of the job doesn't match the title anyway and it differs from company to company...
-
Ah yes, that famous article, also known as "How To Get a Boring Job, And Other Career Advice". Developer has a vague smell of Real Estate about it, mixed with a little Delusions of Grandeur. Programmer describes exactly what you're doing: you're programming. You're not building something. Software is a not a building.
harold aptroot wrote:
Developer has a vague smell of Real Estate about it, mixed with a little Delusions of Grandeur. Programmer describes exactly what you're doing: you're programming. You're not building something. Software is a not a building.
Upvoted, and I am seriously tempted to create a few CodeProject accounts so I could update this even more. "Programming" means "creating computer programs" and that's exactly what we do. Why do we need to call ourselves engineers (where are the engines?) or architects (ditto for buildings and cities)?
-
Simon Lee Shugar wrote:
developer, programmer and which do you prefer?
The truth. A programmer is someone who writes code. Nothing else. A developer is a programmer with more tasks than writing code, like creating specs or a design.
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
Eddy Vluggen wrote:
A programmer is someone who writes code. Nothing else.
Someone who just writes code is a coder. A programmer creates computer programs - that includes coding, but also design, etc.
-
Ah yes, that famous article, also known as "How To Get a Boring Job, And Other Career Advice". Developer has a vague smell of Real Estate about it, mixed with a little Delusions of Grandeur. Programmer describes exactly what you're doing: you're programming. You're not building something. Software is a not a building.
harold aptroot wrote:
Programmer describes exactly what you're doing: you're programming
I see a programmer as someone who puts code into a computer or chip. Not necessarily code that they wrote.
A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]
Dave Kreskowiak -
So I've thought about this for a little bit today I quite like using the term Developer, its generic yet says exactly what we do, Develop stuff. Though is there really any difference to programmers and is the term programmer obselete in the modern world? I remember reading this article Don't Call Yourself A Programmer, And Other Career Advice. So my question is, what should it be, developer, programmer and which do you prefer?
Simon Lee Shugar (Software Developer) www.simonshugar.co.uk "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper" - Robert Alton Harris