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I'm a seeing-eye dog for a computer

claytonwramsey.com

101–105 of 105 posts

Re: I'm a seeing-eye dog for a computer

#101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Lost track of how many juniors I've seen throw their hands up and say they can't progress because they don't have logs/clean repro Not the parent, but I think their approach is the correct one even though their line that you quote "You can't debug something..." should be everything instead of something . The issue with your juniors is them throwing their hands in the air without actually reading the code when they…

I'm actually not complaining. I coach them through it, but the primary help I give is showing them how to walk through the code, and break the dependency on logs/repro scenarios.[1] In addition, if you find the issue in the code -- unless it's a really unusual race condition -- you have what you need to construct a reproduction scenario. That's also part of the coaching. [1] At least, I did until the place I work swi…

I really disagree with this approach to debugging

It's a good approach if every run of your code is very slow or very expensive, but if you can iterate quickly by running the code it's way more effective to try to reproduce and narrow it down that way

I think you've been doing your juniors a disservice

Re: I'm a seeing-eye dog for a computer

#102
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If my job gets automated, I'll find something else to do. I wouldn't have wanted lamplighters to succeed in preventing electrification, so it would be unfair for me to prevent the automation of my job if it can be done.

What if that something else pays less? Or doesn't pay enough to live at all?

That's life. I'm lucky to be interested in and also good at a profession that pays well. If I lose that and in exchange everyone gets to be good at making software, then that's a sacrifice I feel obligated to make for the benefit of humanity, and I'll still have more savings than someone not in this profession.

Re: I'm a seeing-eye dog for a computer

#103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm actually not complaining. I coach them through it, but the primary help I give is showing them how to walk through the code, and break the dependency on logs/repro scenarios.[1] In addition, if you find the issue in the code -- unless it's a really unusual race condition -- you have what you need to construct a reproduction scenario. That's also part of the coaching. [1] At least, I did until the place I work swi…

I really disagree with this approach to debugging It's a good approach if every run of your code is very slow or very expensive, but if you can iterate quickly by running the code it's way more effective to try to reproduce and narrow it down that way I think you've been doing your juniors a disservice

Logs are great. Interactive debugging is great. Both of these can also help build an understanding of the code and systems involved. But they're just debugging tools, and they should rarely be /required/ to find a bug.

I am teaching the more fundamental skill: how to (learn to) think through the problems and the systems in a way that lets log files be a useful tool instead of the only option.

Re: I'm a seeing-eye dog for a computer

#104
post #27

> I used to argue with people on the internet, after about six replies, you realize that you’re speaking to someone incapable of thought He realises the current woe of things but doesn't realise he's been arguing with bot farms and teams of people hired just for this reason - to sow doom, arguments and engagement. Around 10 years ago I noticed this happening on trending topics of Twitter - it wasn't that the opponent…

In 2006 i was arguing in barrens chat with someone spouting racist nazi bullshit, 3 days of this they sent me /t saying i couldnt stop them shaping the minds of young men. Shaping the minds of young men, an exact quote i would hear being used by steve bannon many years later. This.. thing.. has been active for much longer then 10 years.

Re: I'm a seeing-eye dog for a computer

#105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Arguing on the internet is not about convincing the other side. It's about winning the majority opinion and getting more votes. Almost like politics.

Obvioulsy not true for all the arguments, only a subset of those not worth having.

Are you starting an online argument with me?
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