Red Squirrel Reflections
Dave Hoover explores the psychology of software development
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Red Squirrel Reflections
Dave Hoover explores the psychology of software development
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Sun, 20 Mar 2005The Motivation of the Apprentice "People master a craft because they care enough about the craft to make the effort." --Software Craftsmanship, Pete McBreenI have been pondering Pete's quote for the last few days, questioning why I want to master the craft of software development. I have realized that my desire to master this craft is not due to my caring about the craft itself. My desire is the result of the joy that I experience when I have created something with software. I admit it's a self-gratifying desire. I'm not driven to improve as a craftsman in order to please my customers, to make more money, to impress my employer, or to become a luminary in the industry. I'm doing it because I love the act of creating something from nothing, of creating order where there was disorder, from growing something elegant out of something simple. I like the way Fred Brooks said it... "Why is programming fun? What delights may its practitioner expect as his reward? First is the the sheer joy of making things. As the child delights in his mud pie, so the adult enjoys building things, especially things of his own design. I think this delight must be an image of God's delight in making things, a delight shown in the distinctness and newness of each leaf and each snowflake." --The Mythical Man Month, p. 7If you are someone who aspires to become a master crafsman what is your motivation? |
