Live data from Hacker News

The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

efinancialcareers.com

271–280 of 595 posts

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#271

There are plenty of talented C++ programmers. They just don't want to be abused by trading firms or work in that culture. Even paying them more won't work, because no amount of money is worth that abuse. I interviewed at a trading firm once, while I was working at Netflix (because Netflix encouraged us to interview for outside jobs at least once a year). The comp would have been double my Netflix salary. But I would…

Just to clarify, you used the word "abuse" several times to describe a job where you would have to work in office between 8:30 to 5 and pull (I'm safely assuming) half a million dollars a year?

Not sure about GP, but money isn't everything. If I feel like I'm being treated badly, under stress, and lonely, no money can compensate that.

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#273

I feel like I am in a decently unique situation where I learned C++ throughout my preteens and teens, and got a job straight out of high school writing C++ for Unreal Engine applications. Most of the C++ jobs I see when I look are things that I just honestly do not want to do. I don't really mind working with the language and wouldn't mind sticking with it. But I don't want to work on financial software, as I don't w…

yeah im starting to get into the mindset of "fuck doing what you love, just get hobbies" Ultimately, working in these high paying jobs lets you have a lot of great hobbies and enjoy life. Get a job with a decent work-life balance, and use the rarity of your skillset to make the crazy cash, retire early, make your own game company if you want.

I think both ends of that spectrum are fine. If you really do mostly love your work, and you can afford necessities, then that is just as good as getting paid oodles to do a job you don't hate that gives you time and money to do exactly what you love.

The traps are convincing yourself you love your job more than you actually do, or that you don't hate your golden handcuff job and the hours won't always be this crazy...

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#274

There are plenty of talented C++ programmers. They just don't want to be abused by trading firms or work in that culture. Even paying them more won't work, because no amount of money is worth that abuse. I interviewed at a trading firm once, while I was working at Netflix (because Netflix encouraged us to interview for outside jobs at least once a year). The comp would have been double my Netflix salary. But I would…

Just to clarify, you used the word "abuse" several times to describe a job where you would have to work in office between 8:30 to 5 and pull (I'm safely assuming) half a million dollars a year?

The parent comment's wording was funny, but I think the point was that 9-5 was just the start of the commitment. They would have been expected to stay late and work weekends in the office, alone, isolated on their work until it was done.

Any engineering job paying double Netflix comp is going to have very high expectations about hours worked and rate of delivery.

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#275

I feel like I am in a decently unique situation where I learned C++ throughout my preteens and teens, and got a job straight out of high school writing C++ for Unreal Engine applications. Most of the C++ jobs I see when I look are things that I just honestly do not want to do. I don't really mind working with the language and wouldn't mind sticking with it. But I don't want to work on financial software, as I don't w…

Tip: Amazon Games pays above game industry standard, hires for Unreal skill, and has options for good work/life balance. (Like any large company, it can depend on the particular game team. Moving to other teams is generally supported, if the needs and skills match up.) And answering one of the other sibling replies: if you apply for one of the games reqs, you'll be interviewed by members of the game team that posted…

The problem is that all the titles Amazon Games has developed were either flops on release or were cancelled, and the reason it’s still alive is probably because of its parent company having too much money to spend. Maybe it’s the “corporate” Amazon culture having a bad influence to the studio’s creativity… But really they seem to have no idea on how to make a game that people would like.

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#276
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Last time I looked at the finance industry, which was admittedly a while ago, I saw a C++ job that listed the salary as being around $100k. Sounds reasonable. In New York City. Oh . Compare to Google salaries, on levels.fyi for example. I know they're not theoretical or inaccurate because I worked at Google for a while. If you really want to do C++ professionally, that and maybe other FAANG companies seem like they'd…

Google pays its C++ devs very well. Would you suggest those devs try to pivot to Java/Python/Golang also?

I mean no, if you're happy at Google doing C++ then by all means you can probably keep doing it for a while. I don't think pivoting is particularly hard for experienced devs, so it's probably fine to hold it off, though I could be wrong.

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just to clarify, you used the word "abuse" several times to describe a job where you would have to work in office between 8:30 to 5 and pull (I'm safely assuming) half a million dollars a year?

Not sure about GP, but money isn't everything. If I feel like I'm being treated badly, under stress, and lonely, no money can compensate that.

This is me. There are lots of jobs that you literally could not pay me enough to do, because they'll make my life miserable. I'd rather be underpaid and enjoy working than make millions and hate life.

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#278

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It was the fact that I would not be allowed to share my work internally. I would not even be allowed to brainstorm with people doing the same job in other areas of the business. This is what Apple does as well. So not all FAANGs are equal here.

My understanding is that Apple will let you collaborate after what you're working on is public. They just don't want people accidentally sharing unreleased stuff with people who aren't cleared to know about it.

[deleted]

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#279

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> except in the sense of trying to exploit market inefficiencies to take it that's precisely the bad part about it

How does your employer pay you if they don't take money from anyone?

By providing a service to customers, rather than finding ways to skim money off the top of markets?

Re: The pool of talented C++ developers is running dry

#280
post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anecdotal evidence to support what you're saying. I had a large group of devs I used to hang out with. It was about 50/50 front-end and C, C++ guys. Over the last decade or so, every single C developer either transitioned to PHP like yourself, or went the full-stack JS route and have never looked back. And it was all over the issues around dealing with legacy systems and the poor pay. One guy told me flat out he can…

Hmm, what is the highest paying JS job you have seen/heard of? I am not particularly good and by far the highest quote I've ever gotten was ~100k euro after taxes. Not bad at all but required relocation. Just how much can a skilled JS dev get paid?

>> Just how much can a skilled JS dev get paid?

Midwestern state, large health care company - between $150-$200K (this is FTE status with benefits)

You can also be a contractor (hourly, no benefits) and squeeze a bit more out and just jump around from company to company. Senior JS devs are in seriously high demand right now. I get around 5-6 emails a day from recruiters looking for Senior JS devs.

Post reply on HN