🚀 go-pugleaf

"trebor@sirius.com.no.more" <user@example.com> wrote in message news:<onh620h893bs1ba6mdvbujo680dgguoihi@news.supernews.com>...
> 
> That's a pretty broad use of the term "programmer." Today, most
> programming is no more skilled than word processing; a programmer is
> handed a spec sheet and a prototype of the interface, and he (almost
> always a he) just sits down and churns out the code like an assembly
> line worker.

I agree that using a wizard a programmer can output a simple piece of
crap they may call an application, but doing programming correctly
involves far more skill than word processing.  Also, many programmers
do not find themselves in an environment where they work purely off
spec sheets (unless perhaps they are developing COM objects),
especially in small and medium sized companies.  Programmers are often
involved in the design meetings.
 
> Nah... comparative advantage is a macroeconomic term. It does not apply
> to individuals. In macroeconomics, it's the aggregate that counts.

I just meant that people need to be able to do what they are best at,
what they have an advantage in.  Some people excel at leading, some
delegate responsibilities, and some like to get their hands dirty and
do the actual building and creating.

> A great part of the reason why there is a surplus of IT labor is that
> thousands of people entered the profession during the 90s, when the
> getting was good. The majority of those people were just going for the
> money, and had little aptitude much less passion for the profession.
> After a couple of community college courses in Java or VB, they called
> themselves programmers.

I do agree with you here.  Everybody from accountants to busboys were
reading "Learn XYZ Language in 24 hours" and calling themselvs
programmers the next day.  India is probably doing this right now. 
Everybody is trying to grab a piece of the pie.