I often see people compare programming to building bridges, cars or whatever else - typically in order to show how chaotic programming is or how much the process lacks quality.
The only problem I have with that is typical lack of understanding how much more complex environment for a computer program is. Let's take the example of a bridge: how often do you build a bridge without knowing exactly where it will be standing? Without knowing what rivers may be flowing underneath it or how deep the canyon it crosses is? Without knowing what type of traffic is expected to be running on it?
Once someone designs and builds a bridge which will dynamically adjust to any landscape and load, I will agree with comparing bridge building to software building. But I suspect then we'd see such bridges collapsing as often as we see software crashing.
I love programming. I'm 40 now and have been doing it since high school. I program for my day job and I program on the weekend for iPad and iPhones.
For people who don't like programming, like this ridiculous blog post, please spare us your dislike and find something else you enjoy.
I never have any of the problems that some other programmers have... it's because they are doing a job that really doesn't suit their personality.
Being emotional when it comes to programming? That's a huge red flag. Computers are not emotional. Users getting you down? Learn to deal with ridiculous user requests.
The only problem I have with that is typical lack of understanding how much more complex environment for a computer program is. Let's take the example of a bridge: how often do you build a bridge without knowing exactly where it will be standing? Without knowing what rivers may be flowing underneath it or how deep the canyon it crosses is? Without knowing what type of traffic is expected to be running on it?
Once someone designs and builds a bridge which will dynamically adjust to any landscape and load, I will agree with comparing bridge building to software building. But I suspect then we'd see such bridges collapsing as often as we see software crashing.