How do you teach others how to program?

[KIAman]

Kiaman, I generally agree with you, but when you say that basic programming skills are just "glorified typ[ing]" I strongly disagree. Bad programmer is to good programmer as bad watchmaker is to good watchmaker. What distinguishes either kind from the general public is that they can build a working watch. That's the base prerequisite for calling yourself a watchmaker. If you're so bad that you can't build a working watch, then the best you can do is "aspiring watchmaker."

I would agree with this statement if the hypothetical "aspiring watchmaker" did not make any money because they could not produce a fully functioning watch. My hypothetical "glorified typer" fully holds programmer/developer title and compensated pursuant to their job description. They require someone who CAN build a watch to design/oversee/supervise/and in some cases, modify their work. They are useful (although overpaid) as it saves countless hours of me typing, thus my generalization.

 

[Markbnj]

I would agree with this statement if the hypothetical "aspiring watchmaker" did not make any money because they could not produce a fully functioning watch. My hypothetical "glorified typer" fully holds programmer/developer title and compensated pursuant to their job description. They require someone who CAN build a watch to design/oversee/supervise/and in some cases, modify their work. They are useful (although overpaid) as it saves countless hours of me typing, thus my generalization.

Ok, well that makes sense. People who don't understand watchmaking, but think they do, might very well hire an aspiring watchmaker when what they wanted was a watchmaker .

Corporate IT, which represents the bulk of the hiring opportunities for programmers these days, does not understand programming. They think the whole process between powerpoint presentation and deployment is reproducible by anyone they can get at the lowest cost per hour. It's funny, because they are mostly over-compensated cable-crimpers and middle managers unencumbered by any noticeable talent, while we actually make everything work.

How did this happen?

 

[Cogman]

Ok, well that makes sense. People who don't understand watchmaking, but think they do, might very well hire an aspiring watchmaker when what they wanted was a watchmaker .

Corporate IT, which represents the bulk of the hiring opportunities for programmers these days, does not understand programming. They think the whole process between powerpoint presentation and deployment is reproducible by anyone they can get at the lowest cost per hour. It's funny, because they are mostly over-compensated cable-crimpers and middle managers unencumbered by any noticeable talent, while we actually make everything work.

How did this happen?

It was the year 2000 (ish) when the hip new thing was computers and the internet. People kept touting how the computer industry was the place to go to make a buck. As a result, it got flooded with people who have no clue what they are doing.

 

[GaryJohnson]

Ok, well that makes sense. People who don't understand watchmaking, but think they do, might very well hire an aspiring watchmaker when what they wanted was a watchmaker .

Corporate IT, which represents the bulk of the hiring opportunities for programmers these days, does not understand programming. They think the whole process between powerpoint presentation and deployment is reproducible by anyone they can get at the lowest cost per hour. It's funny, because they are mostly over-compensated cable-crimpers and middle managers unencumbered by any noticeable talent, while we actually make everything work.

How did this happen?

"leadership is nature's way of removing morons from the productive flow" - Dogbert

Nowadays, people can be trained, educated, certified in "leadership" and "managing". Morons can totally bypass the productive flow. They can go from college straight to a position that matches their level of incompetence.

 

[k3n]

by analyzing another source code and knowing what each line represents. Trust me, making him/her read a textbook or powerpoint slide doesn't do jack for them.