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Survey Results

What background makes the best programmer?   [Edit]

Survey period: 8 Aug 2005 to 14 Aug 2005

Many of us came to programming from different directions. What do you think is the best way? (suggested by Bill Gammill)

OptionVotes% 
Engineering / Physics50931.34
Science1227.51
Mathematics41025.25
Economics181.11
Education513.14
Arts432.65
Literature171.05
Self-taught hackers40324.82
SysAdmin150.92
Tech Support362.22



 
GeneralRe: Chicken Farming Pin
PJ Arends9-Aug-05 12:56
professionalPJ Arends9-Aug-05 12:56 
AnswerRe: Chicken Farming Pin
Nish Nishant9-Aug-05 18:34
sitebuilderNish Nishant9-Aug-05 18:34 
GeneralPhysics + Biology ??? Pin
akyriako788-Aug-05 20:32
akyriako788-Aug-05 20:32 
GeneralRe: Physics + Biology ??? Pin
BluePineNeedles9-Aug-05 4:12
BluePineNeedles9-Aug-05 4:12 
GeneralRe: Physics + Biology ??? Pin
Marc Soleda9-Aug-05 21:39
Marc Soleda9-Aug-05 21:39 
GeneralRe: Physics + Biology ??? Pin
Kevin McFarlane9-Aug-05 23:03
Kevin McFarlane9-Aug-05 23:03 
GeneralRe: Physics + Biology ??? Pin
Marc Soleda10-Aug-05 0:21
Marc Soleda10-Aug-05 0:21 
GeneralRe: Physics + Biology ??? Pin
Tom Pruett10-Aug-05 7:03
Tom Pruett10-Aug-05 7:03 
If your original premise is true than engineers make the best programmers, because they encompass both Math, Physics and Science. When I received my BSEE, I was only 1 class short of a degree in Math and Physics. To look at it another way, Math and Physics are often called "pure" sciences, while engineering focuses or the application of those sciences.

Others have commented that the answer really depends on your definition of “best programmer”. I believe it depends on your application and your development process. If the programmer is involved in the requirements capture portion of the process, then an understanding of the application domain is of great benefit. If all that is expected of the programmer is to write code that meets the requirements provided, than that knowledge is largely irrelevant. In this last case a computer science degree might be preferable, but your requirements must be very good.

Different skill sets are required for desktop versus embedded applications. From my perspective in the automotive industry either electrical or mechanical engineers have been the most productive in developing software for embedded controllers. I am not dogmatic, because I’ve seen people from many academic backgrounds learn the necessary skills. It’s more the thought process and problem solving skills that matter.

GeneralRe: Physics + Biology ??? Pin
PedroMC13-Aug-05 12:23
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GeneralUFO illuminated me Pin
Marc Soleda8-Aug-05 20:15
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Farhan Noor Qureshi9-Aug-05 6:28
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GeneralRe: UFO illuminated me Pin
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GeneralRe: UFO illuminated me Pin
toxcct10-Aug-05 1:28
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GeneralRe: UFO illuminated me Pin
Marc Soleda10-Aug-05 4:49
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GeneralRe: UFO illuminated me Pin
toxcct10-Aug-05 5:05
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GeneralRe: UFO illuminated me Pin
Marc Soleda10-Aug-05 5:24
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Marc Soleda10-Aug-05 4:42
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GeneralBelieving Allah and his Messanger Muhammed (P.B.U.H) Pin
Abdul Aahad8-Aug-05 17:38
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Abdul Aahad8-Aug-05 17:39
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Judah Gabriel Himango9-Aug-05 7:50
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toxcct10-Aug-05 1:24
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GeneralRe: Believing Allah and his Messanger Muhammed (P.B.U.H) Pin
Judah Gabriel Himango10-Aug-05 5:00
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GeneralFollowing Guidelines of Quraan and Sunnah Pin
Abdul Aahad8-Aug-05 17:37
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Abdul Aahad8-Aug-05 17:35
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GeneralFlawed Response List Pin
Anonymous8-Aug-05 8:31
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