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I've been at this for 30 years now (after giving up a career as a lawyer.) It is the coolest thing ever. You get to solve problems, when, miraculously, you get to see the results of your work. When I was a lawyer, I'd do a bunch of work to get ready for a trial, then usually have to compromise. Then everyone would be pissed off on both sides of the dispute.
When you're coding, you get to delight your customer. You get to give them more and better than the expected. You get to surprise your boss with a cleaner implementation than they envisioned. You get to know that what you've done is right, because you can see it in action.
Nowadays, I spend more time with the folks who use the products I work on. I like solving problems for them. I like communicating about the product, helping people understand it and how to use it. I like envisioning new features that address the challenges our users have. I like analysing user interfaces, understanding and improving the metaphors they present. It's all great. But, when I do occasionally get to code, it's deeply satisfying in a way this other doesn't quite achieve. You create something tangible.
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This is a really good summary and write-up why developing software is so great. Thanks! 
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I suck at art, no body likes my html page. Nobody likes my graphics art. But, If I spend time on graphics, you better keep your mouth shut. I am not going to change my work, I am not going to accept your criticism. And I mean it.
I do not fear of failure. I fear of giving up out of frustration.
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But when I was coding, I got bored with the work after about 3 years.
Solving the problem mentally was always challenging but implementing it in code was tiresome.
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This is a very good answer and I've heard Systems Architects -- with 25 years of experience -- say this too. It is interesting that the moment you know you've solved the problem -- even if it is just in your mind -- then you can feel as if the fun of the solution is over.
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Weird. I enjoy even writing it down immensely. It sounds like a painter that has an idea for a painting but doesn't enjoy the act of painting itself. Programming for me is both. Overcoming a problem and also seeing it running.. and then there's my code fetish. 
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The further I get in my career the more "software development" becomes "explaining things to managers and business-side customers" and less about programming.
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Well put!
"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music."
-- Marcus Brigstocke, British Comedian
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When I'm down about it, I remember that it pays for the better part of my life!
Hogan
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- but I've always made my living doing what I'd do for entertainment.
One can only really choose one path through life, so it's hard to know what's the "best" (or at least better) route - but I would sure hate to have to go to work every day to earn a living.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Sometimes I lost in time and space while sitting in front of the keyboard...
Skipper: We'll fix it.
Alex: Fix it? How you gonna fix this?
Skipper: Grit, spit and a whole lotta duct tape.
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Yes I enjoy coding When i solve problem by coding but in some case i hate it because after continues and so much effort it's not give me any solution, And I feel it's wasting my time 
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I ALWAYS enjoy working on my own projects.
Now, those I get PAID to work on - That's an entirely different matter! 
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
Me, all the time
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Totally aggree.
I would argue to call my job software development. It's rather about trying to correct bad code.
The best is to work on hobby projects.
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I think it is the worst job ever.
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Emilio Largo wrote:
I think it is the worst job ever. |
Go take a look at people who actually work hard for minimal wage and you'll feel better about software development.
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I didn't think I would need to add the joke icon. Maybe I was wrong. 
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Ah, sorry. My sarcasm detector seems to be buggy 
Perhaps I know too many people who seriously claim software development is a horrible job 
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No worries. I think in my mind I was being funny, but now I can see that it could be hard to tell. I will use the joke icon next time...kind of why it is there, I guess.
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You can still edit the message and change the icon 
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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You probably spend more time coding than you do sleeping. Or talking to your partner, your children, you parents.
A third of your life is probably spent working - more in many cases.
If you aren't enjoying it, you are in the wrong job.
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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I've been writing code since I got my Timex ZX Spectrum 48k, roughly 30 years ago.
Taking in account that I'm 38 now, I can say that computers are kind of an extension of my brain 
I was also lucky to have my parents to support me (mostly buying me the hardware) which actually led me to discover the profession that (still) makes me get out of bed with a smile
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I have been writing code since I learned Fortran on an IBM 360 using punched cards about 44 years ago.
The first ten years I felt guilty getting paid so much for having so much fun.
The next ten years my work earned every penny.
The next ten years it was hard work that I enjoyed but it was often not appreciated, which is discouraging.
The next ten years I began to have a love/hate relationship.
Now I tell people I hate computers (a little tongue in cheek). When they are shocked because it is my job, I tell them I love helping people and solving problems. Unfortunately, I use computers to do it. I focus on the helping people part. I did vote "Yes. A lot." but with a weary sense of the struggle it sometimes takes.
So many details! (heavy sigh) So much confusion...
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