Levels of Programming #47

Successful Programmers who are both well-known businesses and around their code - full businesses - probably run full businesses. These programmers have given themselves zero real freedom: the freedom to decide for themselves what they want to do. And that freedom to share with their fellow programmers. This is the level that most programmers need. Reaching this level is often more based on professional skills than programming.

 

 Famous programmer It's also a good place, but not unless you have a day job. You are famous in programming circles. But being famous doesn't mean you can turn a profit and support yourself. Famous is good, but successful is better.

 

working for a small, well-known technology company, an influential small company, or you may be part of a modest statup team. Anyway, other programmers have heard about you, and you have made a positive impact on the field.

 

Dead Programmer This is the highest level. Your code has survived and your death has been surpassed. Other programmers study your work and writing.

 

You may have written a Turing Award or an impressive paper, or discovered one or more basic techniques that influence the performance of programming as we know it. You don’t just have a Wikipedia entry - full websites are dedicated to studying your life and work. Then you are talented, not just in coding. Don’t underestimate the value of self-awareness. It's rarer than you realize. There is nothing wrong with lack of talent. Be brave Figure out what you're good at and pursue it. Aggressively.

 

Amateur. The amateur programmer prefers to code an amateur programmer, and it shows: they could be gifted students or interns, or maybe they are to be open source projects, or in their spare time will make the app or websites interesting just for fun. . . Their codes and ideas show promise and enthusiasm.

 

 Unknown Programmer The proverbial typical programmer.  Joe Coder.  Competent (usually) but unremarkable.  Probably works for a large, anonymous MegaCorp.  It's just a job, not their entire life.  Nothing wrong with that, either

 

Bad programmer people who have somehow fallen into the role of programmer without a program of any skills or abilities. Everything they touch turns into pain and suffering for their fellow programmers - with the possible exception of other bad programmers, who also need to say that they lack the core skills required for working with another bad programmer.