NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/comp/lang/c/17072

Internet Message Format | 1992-11-24 | 3.0 KB

Xref: sparky comp.lang.c:17072 comp.software-eng:4490
Path: sparky!uunet!gistdev!flint
From: [e-mail] (Flint Pellett)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c,comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: Will we keep ignoring this productivity issue?
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 23 Nov 92 19:36:11 GMT
References: <[e-mail]>  <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
Followup-To: comp.lang.c
Organization: Global Information Systems Technology Inc., Savoy, IL
Lines: 47

[e-mail] (Ralph Johnson) writes:

>It is true that there are very large differences in the skills of
>programmers.  It is also true that our theories of how to manage software
>do not take account of this, and it should.  However, there is no reason
>to believe that we cannot *someday* figure out what makes a good software
>developer and figure out how to teach it to people.  Sure, there will
>always be differences in people, but that does not mean that these
>differences are ingrained since birth.   >->Most differences are acquired,
>and that is true of most differences that make for good software
>developers.<-<  So, let's find out what these differences are and figure
>out how to teach them!

While I agree with everything else you said, I have to wonder
about this one sentence I highlighted.

Being an analytical sort, my question is, upon what data do you base
the rather sweeping conclusion you reached in the one sentence?
I would point out that there are several other alternative
conclusions about differences in productivity, not just one:

1. Most differences were ingrained physically at birth.
2. Most differences are acquired physical differences since birth.
   (i.e., bad nutrition, drug effects, etc.)
3. Most differences are physical factors which we could control,
   if we knew how.  (hormonal, affecting attention span, etc.)
4. Most differences are acquired behavior that is not related to
   software training.  (Temperment, emotional behavior, etc., much
   of this probably learned from parents.)
5. Most differences are due to differences in the work environment.
   (Better tools produce more and better results, people get more
   done in a warm office?  Maybe programmer #1 is more productive
   than #2 because he always is or is not playing music-- who knows?)
6. Most productivity differences are due to differences in training
   for programming.

You (seem to) claim #6 is true.  Especially given the large numbers of
good programmers who have come into the profession "through the back
door" from different fields (physics, engineering, english, music), I
find it hard to attribute the majority of productivity differences to
#6.  I have to believe that it is a combination of all of them, and
that NONE of them are dominant, and that more than likely my quick
list has overlooked several other important factors.
--
Flint Pellett, Global Information Systems Technology, Inc.
100 Trade Centre Drive, Suite 301, Champaign, IL  61820     [phone]
uunet!gistdev!flint or [e-mail]