Most developers don’t really know any computer language

I haven't worked with enough programmers to either agree or disagree, but I personally try to become really fluent in the languages that I use. For example, participating in the ruby-core mailing list has really increased my knowledge of Ruby methods and internals.

It also really pays to know a language when you're using something that compiles into it. You're going to have a bad time with Coffeescript if you're not already fluent in Javascript, and you need to be able to understand the patterns and conventions in the compiled code.

Re: Most developers don’t really know any computer language

#7

Post by ataggart » Fri, Nov 16, 2012, 11:11 PM UTC

Perhaps I missed it, but I don't see where the author defines what he thinks it means to "really know any computer language."

Re: Most developers don’t really know any computer language

#8

Post by bithive123 » Fri, Nov 16, 2012, 11:12 PM UTC

Just like there are more musicians than people who understand music theory, formalism is not required for software development. This is neither surprising nor bad.

Re: Most developers don’t really know any computer language

#9

Post by andrewcooke » Fri, Nov 16, 2012, 11:17 PM UTC

ataggart wrote: post #7

Perhaps I missed it, but I don't see where the author defines what he thinks it means to "really know any computer language."

well, he implies you need to have written a compiler front end for one.

and i'm glad i can answer this question as i kinda stopped at that point...

Re: Most developers don’t really know any computer language

#10

Post by thaumaturgy » Fri, Nov 16, 2012, 11:20 PM UTC

orangethirty wrote: post #2

Site is crippling under traffic.

Yeah, most webmasters don't really know anything about web servers. /snark