in reply to What kind of programmer are you?

How about:

   7. Compulsive Problem Solver

I program because I like to solve real problems for real people. I get a real buzz out of seeing people use something I built (even if they don't say thank you). I particularly like picking up problems that other people have given up on. That's why I generally use a programming language that "makes the hard things possible".

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Re: Re: What kind of programmer are you?
by Elgon (Curate) on May 06, 2003 at 09:10 UTC

    This is an excellent description of many programmers I've met and I'd certainly include myself among this category. There is one this I do tend to find occasionally, which is that I get the most enjoyment actually solving the problem in my head and once I know the actual way of doing it I sometimes lose interest a bit. This makes it hard sometimes to really make the code I write down excellent.

    I'm not so sure that it is as simple as the above categories might suggest as I think that most people are hybrids of two or more of these types to varying degrees. I'm certainly a mixture of hobbyist, evil monopolist (circa 1-2%) and obsessive-compulsive problem solver.

    Elgon

    Please, if this node offends you, re-read it. Think for a bit. I am almost certainly not trying to offend you. Rememer - Please never take anything I do or say seriously.

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Re: Re: What kind of programmer are you?
by michaeld (Monk) on May 06, 2003 at 08:39 UTC

    Nice one! ++ to you...

    I think I'll ask managemant to change my job-title into "The Solutioner".

    Cheers,
    MichaelD

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Re: Re: What kind of programmer are you?
by The Mad Hatter (Priest) on May 06, 2003 at 15:28 UTC
    You've hit the nail on the head. I'm a mixture of hobbyist and compulsive problem solver. I tend to lose interest fairly quickly in stuff that I or someone else doesn't use.

    My largest project was only started and still exists because my friends and I had a need. It is now used daily and I'm still strongly developing it and adding new features. It's great; 97% of the time, seeing people use my stuff is what drives me to code.

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Re: Re: What kind of programmer are you?
by dragonchild (Archbishop) on May 06, 2003 at 13:42 UTC
    Have you been talking to my wife? That's what she calls me ...

    ------
    We are the carpenters and bricklayers of the Information Age.

    Don't go borrowing trouble. For programmers, this means Worry only about what you need to implement.

    Please remember that I'm crufty and crochety. All opinions are purely mine and all code is untested, unless otherwise specified.

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Re: Re: What kind of programmer are you?
by Anonymous Monk on May 07, 2003 at 15:44 UTC

    Thank you :)

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