K
Kevin Spencer
Is it just me, or am I really observing a trend away from analysis and
probem-solving amongst programmers? Let me be more specific:
It seems that every day, in greater numbers, people are coming to these
programming newsgroups and asking for ready-made solutions to fairly simple
programming problems. They either want someone to write code for them, or
point them to a ready-made chunk of software that does what they need to do.
Now, I'm all for productivity, and have all the latest and greatest
programming productivity tools. From time to time I do buy third-party
components, such as a managed Zip extractor. Yes, I could build my own Zip
extractor. The WinZip site publishes their algorithms. But it's quite
low-level stuff, and it would take me a week to write my own, whereas I
could buy one for $50.00 and get on to more important things. That seems
reasonable to me. If it is cost that is truly the issue, third-party
components are fine.
On the other hand, third-party components are only as good as their
designers. When you use a third-party component you are creating a form of
external dependency, over which you have little or no control. So, all other
things being equal, I would tend to solve my own problems and build my own
solutions.
But, for example, asking for someone to write a snippet of JavaScript...
well, that's just plain lazy IMHO. In the development tools that Microsoft
manufactures, there are enough tools and technology to build your own
Operating System. It is as if Microsoft has given you every tool you could
possibly need, and enough lumber to build the Hoover Dam, but if you need to
build a dog house, and you've never built one before, by golly, you'll just
go out and buy one. Now, how does that make you a better carpenter? And what
justifies the expense of buying a dog house when you already have all the
tools and lumber to build one? Especially when it would cost you the same
amount of money to build one (in man-hours) as it takes to buy one? At least
if you build it you've enhanced your capabilites somewhat. And if you need
to add air-conditioning to the existing dog house, well, you're all prepared
to do so, since you built it to begin with.
I mean, whatever happened to the ethic that programmers should study their
trade every day with diligence? I know I do. I probably spend an average of
an hour a day studying my trade. Any good developer should, it seems to me.
So, what's up with all this "just give me the codes (and stuff)" attitude?
Is it just me, or does this bother anybody else? Am I way off track here?
--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
What You Seek Is What You Get.
probem-solving amongst programmers? Let me be more specific:
It seems that every day, in greater numbers, people are coming to these
programming newsgroups and asking for ready-made solutions to fairly simple
programming problems. They either want someone to write code for them, or
point them to a ready-made chunk of software that does what they need to do.
Now, I'm all for productivity, and have all the latest and greatest
programming productivity tools. From time to time I do buy third-party
components, such as a managed Zip extractor. Yes, I could build my own Zip
extractor. The WinZip site publishes their algorithms. But it's quite
low-level stuff, and it would take me a week to write my own, whereas I
could buy one for $50.00 and get on to more important things. That seems
reasonable to me. If it is cost that is truly the issue, third-party
components are fine.
On the other hand, third-party components are only as good as their
designers. When you use a third-party component you are creating a form of
external dependency, over which you have little or no control. So, all other
things being equal, I would tend to solve my own problems and build my own
solutions.
But, for example, asking for someone to write a snippet of JavaScript...
well, that's just plain lazy IMHO. In the development tools that Microsoft
manufactures, there are enough tools and technology to build your own
Operating System. It is as if Microsoft has given you every tool you could
possibly need, and enough lumber to build the Hoover Dam, but if you need to
build a dog house, and you've never built one before, by golly, you'll just
go out and buy one. Now, how does that make you a better carpenter? And what
justifies the expense of buying a dog house when you already have all the
tools and lumber to build one? Especially when it would cost you the same
amount of money to build one (in man-hours) as it takes to buy one? At least
if you build it you've enhanced your capabilites somewhat. And if you need
to add air-conditioning to the existing dog house, well, you're all prepared
to do so, since you built it to begin with.
I mean, whatever happened to the ethic that programmers should study their
trade every day with diligence? I know I do. I probably spend an average of
an hour a day studying my trade. Any good developer should, it seems to me.
So, what's up with all this "just give me the codes (and stuff)" attitude?
Is it just me, or does this bother anybody else? Am I way off track here?
--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
What You Seek Is What You Get.