in reply to A conversation with a C programmer

Heh. I've not found comments like "You're not a programmer at all ... " to be particularly helpful.

You might consider jettisoning some of the remaining 30% of your arrogance. Having been on the receiving end of such comments as: "You're not a real programmer because you code in Perl rather than C++", I can't say that I enjoy it much. Too often such 'jesting' or 'teasing' is a socially acceptable veneer covering a deeper, uglier disprespect. Language holy wars are fruitless and they erect barriers to communication and getting work done.

If I need to puff myself up, I try to find a way to do it without tearing someone else down. I much prefer a win/win situation to a zero sum game or (more often) a lose/lose situation.

Perhaps you have a solid relationship with your C-programmer friend, and such banter can be taken positively and constructively. Maybe I'm just patronizing you to make myself feel better ... if so, I should take my own advice. :)


No good deed goes unpunished. -- (attributed to) Oscar Wilde

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Re^2: A conversation with a C programmer
by leocharre (Priest) on Mar 16, 2006 at 01:21 UTC

    I think the OP was perhaps making a learned observation.

    Someone who does c, and sees that code that supposedly came from a friend "who knows" what he's doing- maybe that person would look at it and be asking more questions then the original ones. In fact, a programmer would possibly find it quicker to lookup those answers and quickly learn some regex common sense - then to try to get another human being's attention about it- that early on in the game.

    Especially c, c is not "easier" then perl. Saying you're a programmer carries some punch- (and a c programmer.. c is some serious stuff). I try to take it to mean one of two things, either you're not a programmer, or you're a hard veteran. Personally I am not a coder, It's like being a marine in that movie Jughead- getting branded.. anyway.

    Personally -I just code. I write some software when I can't find an already existing solution for the problem.

    Anyway, the OP came here I think with good intentions, maybe to share some laughs- etc- and it may not be everyone's cup of tea how he does it.

    Personally I have been scolded and flat out told "you don't know what you're talking about" by my best teachers in all fields of life. Sometimes you need that- before your mind goes into outer space.

    And yes... He wasn't the most explanatory- but he was helpful. I think the conversation did leave it open if the "c programmer" was really a programmer. And if you're gonna learn, to help your teacher you have to tell them what you don't know. Dude was obviously trying to be helpful until he realized that the "c coder" was not being very honest about what he did and did not know.

    If the c guy *was* a "programmer", then the way you would go about helping them is different then how you would go about helping them if they are not! So- he needs to ask quick and dirty- "are you a programmer really?"

    That's one way of looking at it.

[reply]

      You may be right ... perhaps I was just cranky when I posted that comment yesterday. It is allergy season for me, here. :)

      I guess what really busted my chops was the 'at all' part of the "You're not a programmer at all" quote ... I just don't see any way not to take that as an unkind slur, no matter what the self-perceived skill level is. Clearly someone who is 'coding' is at least trying to be some kind of a programmer. Of course, in my rather narrow little world, I assume that everyone wants to be a programmer. :)

      But as you say, I would help a programmer differently than I would help a 'normal' person, so it is important to find out with whom one is dealing.

[reply]

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