On Sat, 2007-02-17 at 02:43 -0500, Bill McGonigle wrote:
> On Feb 17, 2007, at 01:22, Nigel Stewart wrote:
>
> > The Engineers I've worked with tend towards the
> > "just make it work" philosophy. Interpret the
> > spec as narrowly and specifically as possible,
> > and rely on nobody being rude enough to point out
> > the unhandled cases, fragile assumptions, or
> > broader incompatibilities. "It's the schedule,
> > stupid!"
>
> That's a good illustration of why "real Engineers" get so worked up
> when line computer programmers call themselves Engineers.
>
> 'cause that's no way to build a bridge...
>
> -Bill
>
Like the classic "swings" picture of software development, I now picture
in my mind the bridge built by a software "engineer":
o lots of fancy do-dads that do nothing, but have to be painted
every year so they do not rust
o exit ramps going off the bridge, most of which do not go
anywhere, and let the car fall into the water
When I was just a young lad they built the "Baltimore Beltway" (now
unceremoniously called "Interstate 695"). On that road was the first
multi-level overpass bridge I ever saw. Besides the main roadway, there
were two levels of "overpass", one directly above the other. But the
topmost level of overpass did not have any roads going to it, and did
not for MANY years. So you drove past it, seeing this topmost level
that no one could use, or even access.
Eventually they built roads to it, but I have never seen where those
roads go, or where they take you, so I wonder if the roads were merely
added to belatedly justify the third level...and ease the taxpayer's
mind that their money was not wasted.
md
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