Reflections on Programming Passion and the Evolution of Software Engineering
By
absqueued
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
The article presents a series of personal anecdotes reflecting on the author's childhood passion for programming and early career experiences, contrasted with the current state of software engineering. It explores themes of how the profession has evolved from a craft to a corporate commodity, with reflections on mentorship, the changing nature of programming work, and the tension between passion and commercialization in the tech industry.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledWhen I was younger, I really liked programming! I loved the sense of accomplishment, I loved the problem solving, I loved sharing what I made with the people around me to both amuse and assist.
One particularly wise adult (somewhere around 1996) took me aside and said, 'You know, you're lucky you enjoy programming, because you won't be able to make a living on it in the future. Doing it for love over money is a good idea.'
The Death of Software Engineering as a Profession
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