🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <PCG.90Sep23181145@teachc.cs.aber.ac.uk>, pcg@cs.aber.ac.uk (Piercarlo Grandi) writes:
> My probably warped view of the programming scene is that the best known
> general purpose language technology, applied under favourable
> circumstances, seems (hand waving very prominently here) no more than
> 2-3 times more productive than mainstream language technology (Fortran,
> Cobol, C, PL/1); claims to the contrary make me a bit skeptical. Now I
> admit that even 200-300% is a lot, in economic terms, but it pales by
> comparison with the different productivity levels of *people*.

I disagree with your estimate, but even if 3.0 were the correct
multiplier to apply to individuals working alone, the nature of large
software system development can greatly exaggerate the effect.  30
mediocre programmers who are constantly in each other's way and who
have only a fair understanding of project requirements and system
architecture may be an order of magnitude less productive than 3
top-notch programmers who know every inch of their system and their
project, and who can work together as a harmonious team.


	Lawrence G. Mayka
	AT&T Bell Laboratories
	lgm@iexist.att.com

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