Career in C

[broli]

A lot of people express disdain when I mention that I like C and find
it easier to use and understand than other languages. I detest the
idea of switching from one language to another and not being able to
learn even 1 properly. I just don't believe in having thousands of
languages mentioned on my resume. I did this in my engineering course
and gained nothign out of it. I don't consider my self proficient in C
either but I'm trying. This is the case with many fresh CS graduates
these days. They are exposed to many languages but nearly 99% of the
ones in my college(and even others) couldn't even write a simple
program spanning a few hundred lines in ANY language. I'm considering
to opt a career in software development using C but when I look into
the job openings, it seems most employers are merely interested in
people who know something about java or .NET. Very often the same job
has nothing to do with java or .NET or any programming language but it
involves using some stupid tool. I just don't understand anything
about the ways in which software industry is working these days. If
anyone mentions that they are very adept in C but don't have any
knowledge of Java, it is quite likely that they will be rejected no
matter how good they are as programmers. Are these people looking for
programmers or people with just a few certificates and good
interpersonal skills but zero programming skills ?? I've also observed
that people who often use the OO jargon are at the forefront when it
comes to deriding C. Windows was programmed in C, many popular games
and applications have been programmed in C then why do people look
down on this beautiful language ? What do you think about the future
of C and jobs in this field ??

 

[Eric Sosman]

A lot of people express disdain when I mention that I like C and find
it easier to use and understand than other languages. I detest the
idea of switching from one language to another and not being able to
learn even 1 properly. [...]

Then you should probably seek a career other than
programming. This field changes more rapidly than most,
and a person who cannot learn new programming languages
and learn to use them well will quickly fall by the
wayside.

How long a career do you expect to have? Forty
years or so? Well then, what would be your opinion of
a programmer today who could use only the languages that
were available in 1968? No C#, no C++, no C, no Pascal,
FORTRAN but not Fortran, ... Met many JOVIAL programmers
recently?

Now look forward toward 2048. Do you think the period
of change is at an end? Go ahead: Try to tell us with a
straight face that programmers in 2048 will *not* be using
languages invented in the 2030's.

I do not believe there is any such thing as a "career
in C." A carpenter cannot build a whole career around one
hammer.

 

[Bartc]

A lot of people express disdain when I mention that I like C and find
it easier to use and understand than other languages. I detest the

... Windows was programmed in C, many popular games
and applications have been programmed in C then why do people look
down on this beautiful language

I was agreeing with you up to this point. But to call C beautiful is
stretching it a bit.

? What do you think about the future of C and jobs in this field ??

Well I don't have any TLAs at all to put on my resume` and I wouldn't be
able to get a job either.

But if the programming world is full of NET and COM and OOP and whatever
then I'm just not interested anyway.

I'm sure C jobs are around but the choice might be a lot smaller.

In my case I was self-employed and could do what I liked.

 

[Morris Dovey]

Are these people looking for
programmers or people with just a few certificates and good
interpersonal skills but zero programming skills ??

The personnel department gets a phone call saying: "We need two
more programmers for our project," and the personnel department
struggles to come up with a set of job qualifications that they
think will result in satisfaction. The simple truth is that they
don't have enough technical knowledge to know who's good and
who's not - and most of what they know comes from MS marketing.

One answer might be to identify those places where the first-line
manager is personally involved in the front-end screening
process. He/she will normally have a considerably greater
understanding of what skills are really needed and how well your
skills fit the need.

I've also observed
that people who often use the OO jargon are at the forefront when it
comes to deriding C. Windows was programmed in C, many popular games
and applications have been programmed in C then why do people look
down on this beautiful language ?

Talkers outnumber doers in every field. Those who can't /do/ a
good job do their very best to /talk/ a good job. It's not
unusual for people to talk up what skills they do have while
talking down the skills they don't have. This isn't limited to
programming, by the way.

What do you think about the future of C and jobs in this field ??

It really depends on what part of the field you're talking about.
For high-performance, mission-critical, and embedded projects,
the C programing language (and the need for people who use it
well) seems to be strong.

 

[Richard]

The personnel department gets a phone call saying: "We need two
more programmers for our project," and the personnel department
struggles to come up with a set of job qualifications that they
think will result in satisfaction. The simple truth is that they
don't have enough technical knowledge to know who's good and
who's not - and most of what they know comes from MS marketing.

This is in a poorly managed company. I proper SW company would have
their PMs/Team Leaders draw up the required skill sets.

One answer might be to identify those places where the first-line
manager is personally involved in the front-end screening
process. He/she will normally have a considerably greater
understanding of what skills are really needed and how well your
skills fit the need.


Talkers outnumber doers in every field. Those who can't /do/ a
good job do their very best to /talk/ a good job. It's not
unusual for people to talk up what skills they do have while
talking down the skills they don't have. This isn't limited to
programming, by the way.

Really? Wow :-;

 

[Ioannis Vranos]

A lot of people express disdain when I mention that I like C and find
it easier to use and understand than other languages. I detest the
idea of switching from one language to another and not being able to
learn even 1 properly. I just don't believe in having thousands of
languages mentioned on my resume. I did this in my engineering course
and gained nothign out of it. I don't consider my self proficient in C
either but I'm trying. This is the case with many fresh CS graduates
these days. They are exposed to many languages but nearly 99% of the
ones in my college(and even others) couldn't even write a simple
program spanning a few hundred lines in ANY language. I'm considering
to opt a career in software development using C but when I look into
the job openings, it seems most employers are merely interested in
people who know something about java or .NET. Very often the same job
has nothing to do with java or .NET or any programming language but it
involves using some stupid tool. I just don't understand anything
about the ways in which software industry is working these days. If
anyone mentions that they are very adept in C but don't have any
knowledge of Java, it is quite likely that they will be rejected no
matter how good they are as programmers. Are these people looking for
programmers or people with just a few certificates and good
interpersonal skills but zero programming skills ?? I've also observed
that people who often use the OO jargon are at the forefront when it
comes to deriding C. Windows was programmed in C, many popular games
and applications have been programmed in C then why do people look
down on this beautiful language ? What do you think about the future
of C and jobs in this field ??

In any case, I think learning standardised languages is a good time
investment (e.g. C, C++, perhaps Java now that it gets open sourced,
XHTML, etc), since whatever happens there will always be a
compiler/interpreter for them (examples Free Pascal for Pascal language,
GCC for C, C++, Fortran, web browsers for past HTML/now XHTML, etc).

 

[santosh]

A lot of people express disdain when I mention that I like C and find
it easier to use and understand than other languages. I detest the
idea of switching from one language to another and not being able to
learn even 1 properly.

This is indeed a rather unfortunate aspect of programming: that you must
needs know a fair amount of languages. tools, systems and practises to
maintain a good career. There *are* fields which still demand
specialisation and precise knowledge of a particular aspect of
programming, but they are few and far between compared to the average
IT job.

I just don't believe in having thousands of
languages mentioned on my resume. I did this in my engineering course
and gained nothign out of it.

Unfortunately, as I said, unless you have particularly attractive skills
in other areas, you need to be somewhat of a generalist to survive.
This means knowing well at least about 4 to 8 languages and a couple of
the mainstream systems and the major toolsets for these environments.

I don't consider my self proficient in C
either but I'm trying. This is the case with many fresh CS graduates
these days. They are exposed to many languages but nearly 99% of the
ones in my college(and even others) couldn't even write a simple
program spanning a few hundred lines in ANY language.

I agree here. I have seen quite a lot of graduates with multiple
certificates and diplomas in languages like C, C++ and Java but they
struggle like hell when they enter their first job and are asked to
improve and maintain vast, ugly systems.

The problem is programming is very complex in detail, though only parts
of it are complex in logic, which is unlike pure science. That's
understandable, since it's an applied field, a merger of theory and
engineering and society, and our creations in the world of bits mirrors
those in our macro world in their exponential complexity and in
irrationality and redundancy.

I'm considering
to opt a career in software development using C but when I look into
the job openings, it seems most employers are merely interested in
people who know something about java or .NET. Very often the same job
has nothing to do with java or .NET or any programming language but it
involves using some stupid tool. I just don't understand anything
about the ways in which software industry is working these days.

Software industry is concerned, first and foremost, with providing their
customers with problems and innovative solutions to those problems.
Mostly, it's a business, like any other, and cares little for
various "ideals". Their thoughts are focused rather on the next
quarter.

So this industry, this business grew along with the general growth of
world economy, and therefore they found themselves needing far more
employees than before. And the law of quantity versus quality implies
that they must settle for less qualified, less experienced people, as
there was simply not enough hackers to go around.

This in turn means that languages and tools that automate more and more
routine tasks found favour, not only with the managers, but also with
most of their programmers. The push towards more automation has always
been their in programming, but it has seemingly exploded in the last
two decades because of the increasing power and capacity of hardware.

The types and complexity (in detail) of tasks programmers do have
greatly increased, while their average skill level has stayed the same,
perhaps even decreased. So very high level languages, domain specific
languages and advanced tools have all become pretty much the norm.

If
anyone mentions that they are very adept in C but don't have any
knowledge of Java, it is quite likely that they will be rejected no
matter how good they are as programmers.

For many jobs, yes, but not all. In the embedded programming field,
languages like C are still very strong. Even knowledge of assembler is
an asset, which will probably be laughed at if you apply for a web
design or animation job.

Are these people looking for
programmers or people with just a few certificates and good
interpersonal skills but zero programming skills ??

A combination of consistent academic record, strong skills in the
relevant area and what they call "flexibility", i.e., aptitude to work
in teams. But often these guidelines are bent on a case-by-case basis.
In any case strong technical skills are a must, since most people can
always fake their social skills.

I've also observed
that people who often use the OO jargon are at the forefront when it
comes to deriding C.

Yes, programmers tend to get carried away with their favourite languages
and paradigms and miss the forest for the trees.

Windows was programmed in C,

As I understand it, recent versions are most done in C++, with C being
used at the lower levels.

many popular games
and applications have been programmed in C then why do people look
down on this beautiful language ?

Because most programmers have grown used to more support that
higher-level languages offer, and because it's become more difficult
for s/w companies to hire really good C programmers to do in C the kind
of projects that they do. This is the general case, and there are many
exceptions within specialised areas where C is still used - mainly
system and embedded programming.

What do you think about the future of C and jobs in this field ??

As above.

 

[lawrence.jones]

Software industry is concerned, first and foremost, with providing their
customers with problems

Ain't that the truth!

"Brute Force Cybernetics: Creating a need and then filling it!" -- WEBN

-Larry Jones

I think we need to change the rules. -- Calvin

 

[CBFalconer]

A lot of people express disdain when I mention that I like C and

.... snip illegible block of 25 solid lines ...

The use of paragraphs greatly improves legibility and readability.

 

[Ivan Vecerina]

: A lot of people express disdain when I mention that I like C
: and find it easier to use and understand than other languages.
People may as well disdain screwdrivers until they need to
repair a toy.

: I detest the
: idea of switching from one language to another and not being able to
: learn even 1 properly. I just don't believe in having thousands of
: languages mentioned on my resume.
I agree it is wiser to become an expert in 1/few languages that are
most relevant to you. But learning about different tools (programming
languates) is important too.

: I did this in my engineering course
: and gained nothign out of it. I don't consider my self proficient in C
: either but I'm trying. This is the case with many fresh CS graduates
: these days. They are exposed to many languages but nearly 99% of the
: ones in my college(and even others) couldn't even write a simple
: program spanning a few hundred lines in ANY language.
Yep.

: I'm considering
: to opt a career in software development using C but when I look into
: the job openings, it seems most employers are merely interested in
: people who know something about java or .NET.

It depends on the type of job that you are looking for.
For web development, cutomized business applications, and many
other fields, C is not the preferred language.
Projects where C is still prominent include embedded development
(appliances, control systems, aerospace), as well as operating
systems and drivers (linux kernel is pure C, device/graphics drivers).
Compilers and interpreters for other languages are usually
written in C. The graphics and gaming industry are also still pretty
C-oriented.
This said, some of these low-level fields have also started
shifting towards using C++ as well.

: Very often the same job
: has nothing to do with java or .NET or any programming language but it
: involves using some stupid tool. I just don't understand anything
: about the ways in which software industry is working these days. If
: anyone mentions that they are very adept in C but don't have any
: knowledge of Java, it is quite likely that they will be rejected no
: matter how good they are as programmers. Are these people looking for
: programmers or people with just a few certificates and good
: interpersonal skills but zero programming skills ?? I've also observed
: that people who often use the OO jargon are at the forefront when it
: comes to deriding C. Windows was programmed in C, many popular games
: and applications have been programmed in C then why do people look
: down on this beautiful language ?
: What do you think about the future of C and jobs in this field ??

C is a powerful low-level language. But for many problems, more
suitable languages can be found.

The fact you appreciate the C language indicates that you have a
good understanding of the fundamentals - and this is an asset.

But even in technical fields, an employer will want to know that
you are focused on delivering solutions, and willing to learn
to use whatever new tool is needed, rather than say that you
are only interested in using C.
Most C programmers will also be using a scripting language for
rapid prototyping or automation tasks. And if you like C, you
should also consider learing about C++ - and its pros and cons.

So beyond the C language itself, you need to look into what field,
what application domain you want (& will be able) to work into.

Realize first of all that C or even programming is not a business
goal in itself. It is only a tool.


I hope this helps -Ivan

 

[John Bode]

A lot of people express disdain when I mention that I like C and find
it easier to use and understand than other languages.

C causes brain damage. I should know, I'm a classic case.

I detest the idea of switching from one language to another and not being able to
learn even 1 properly.

Unfortunately, it's getting harder to find those niches where you can
focus on one platform and language exclusively for your entire career,
and that's a risky path to take. I worked with one guy who'd spent
the previous 20 years doing nothing but Pascal on HP MPE. When HP
finally killed their MPE systems in 2002, he effectively had to retire
from software development; not only were his skills completely
unmarketable, he found he could not wrap his head around any new
technology. He'd spent so many years doing nothing but Pascal that
his ability to learn new languages had atrophied.

Secondly, boredom is a dangerous occupational hazard; I've suffered
through several periods of severe burnout, one of which resulted in
getting laid off. Being forced to learn new languages and
technologies is one of the things that keeps the job interesting. It
also helps keep you employed.

I just don't believe in having thousands of
languages mentioned on my resume. I did this in my engineering course
and gained nothign out of it. I don't consider my self proficient in C
either but I'm trying. This is the case with many fresh CS graduates
these days. They are exposed to many languages but nearly 99% of the
ones in my college(and even others) couldn't even write a simple
program spanning a few hundred lines in ANY language.

That's because a CS degree isn't a programming degree. That's also
why freshouts are usually given the scut work; it gives them a chance
to build their skills.

I'm considering
to opt a career in software development using C but when I look into
the job openings, it seems most employers are merely interested in
people who know something about java or .NET. Very often the same job
has nothing to do with java or .NET or any programming language but it
involves using some stupid tool. I just don't understand anything
about the ways in which software industry is working these days. If
anyone mentions that they are very adept in C but don't have any
knowledge of Java, it is quite likely that they will be rejected no
matter how good they are as programmers. Are these people looking for
programmers or people with just a few certificates and good
interpersonal skills but zero programming skills ?? I've also observed
that people who often use the OO jargon are at the forefront when it
comes to deriding C. Windows was programmed in C, many popular games
and applications have been programmed in C then why do people look
down on this beautiful language ? What do you think about the future
of C and jobs in this field ??

First of all, there's no such thing as a career in C, just like
there's no such thing as a career in Java, or Fortran. There are a
bunch of different application domains (embedded systems, games, data
management/warehousing, simulation, productivity suites, CAD, realtime
control systems, etc.), each with different requirements and focus.
For some of those domains C is still the right tool, but for most
domains better tools exist.

I've compared programming in C to building a house with a hand saw and
a claw hammer. You can do it, but it's a *lot* of work, the potential
for mistakes is high, and it takes a long time to do it right.
Whereas if you use power tools and prefabbed components (Java, C#,
etc.), you can build that same house in much less time, with fewer
mistakes, and have a structure that's just as solid. Development time
is a *huge* cost for most projects, and anything that can reduce that
time is a big win.

Secondly, the people who write the job descriptions typically are not
engineers themselves; they're HR people who are given a list of things
that the engineering department wants in a candidate. Sometimes the
skill list is relevant to the specific position, sometimes it isn't.

Finally, being able to list multiple languages on your resume
indicates that you are flexible and can learn new skills; often,
that's more important to a potential employer than demonstrating depth
in any one specific technology.