The more I learn about semicos, the more I'm excited - there's some magic and complexity that software doesn't have
the focus on solving problems instead of endless arguments about philosophy like tdd is the only way to write software, microservices are the way to go, etc.
The older I get (I’m not even 30 but nevertheless), the less invested I feel in so many of the problems in software engineering. It’s why I’ve gravitated toward embedded and computer architecture, the problems there feel more fundamental and necessary. I have a friend who jumped ship recently from the CS department to physics, and he tells me that spending so much time thinking about the theoretical underpinnings of the physical world just sort of ruined CS and software engineering for him. I imagine that physics can make almost anything else feel trivial, so maybe it’s an unfair example.
I know there are interesting problems in CS and software engineering but rarely do those of us working in industry get the chance to do anything truly novel. Embedded is simple, almost like using hand tools, but at least the products I contribute to are physical and solving real, hard problems. Just wish the money was better…
There are hard deadlines and many sleepless nights in semiconductor industry. After a decade I want to get out. There is no magic compensation or any other magic. Just customers waiting for your chip working according spec on promised date. The time pressure can be blurred working in a nice team with nice manager. But looking back it was all the shitshow. Better endless discussions about philosophy and the ability to recompile everything last minute or let the customer use old version for one week more than yearly world end cycle with hysterical group leader.
The more I learn about semicos, the more I'm excited - there's some magic and complexity that software doesn't have
the focus on solving problems instead of endless arguments about philosophy like tdd is the only way to write software, microservices are the way to go, etc.