Jacques, >Why is it OK for programmers to just code-up software, but it is not OK for >architects to just build a house the same way? Why is it that only >hobbyists hack-up circuits, but electrical engineers design them first?
I did not say it was OK, rather that software often lives longer, and is used for other purposes, than was originally intended. As for architects and electrical engineers, I know that electrical engineers hack together bread board circuits, and put them in a nice looking plastic box, for short term projects (I used to do that as did my colleagues). I bet architects also, from time to time, hack together a building for a rush ob. >The problem with programming is that writing small programs is TOO EASY. So >programmers get the false impression that their skills at writing small >programs scales. No, the problem is that there is no come back when things go wrong. Want to improve the quality of software engineers? Start putting a few of them in jail. That is get the attention of those in the field. >> The problem with the software industry is that a lot of software that >> was intended for temporary use ends up lasting for years. > >The amount of software like this is huge. Shouldn't people have learned by >now that any piece of 'useful' software will live on for years? It is very difficult to predict in advance what others will find useful. I like to think that everything I have every written is useful. Unfortunately, based on product sales, not everybody agrees with me. derek -- Derek M Jones tel: +44 (0) 1252 520 667 Knowledge Software Ltd mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Applications Standards Conformance Testing http://www.knosof.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PPIG Discuss List ([email protected]) Discuss admin: http://limitlessmail.net/mailman/listinfo/discuss Announce admin: http://limitlessmail.net/mailman/listinfo/announce PPIG Discuss archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/discuss%40ppig.org/
