This title might seem like pretensious nonsense to some or that I'm splitting hairs, but bear with me and you can tell me whether it is/I am in comments below.
I'm a great believer that the words we use form the way we think about things. With that in mind, I want to state that I don't build software, I create it, I write it, I design it.
I use these words to describe an activity that is extremely creative. We don't lay down bricks and mortar to a predefined pattern or build a car which has already been designed and tested, we take ideas from our clients and turn them into reality.
I don't see creating software as construction, it has more in common with product design, and research and development.
To me when looking at a well designed, highly maintenable application I see the beauty, creativity and art behind it.
Developers themselves are generally creative people. How many do you know that play music, write books, do photography, etc?
For a long time software has been stuck in a construction metaphor. I think it's time to move on.
Yes. Agreed.
ReplyDeleteI worked in the software dept in an engineering firm. Upper management tried to apply engineering project methodologies to our software process. But, as you point out, building a road has little in common with creating software.
Everyone ended up frustrated.