Core competencies of great hackers

#1

Post by possiblemat » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:05 PM UTC

Core competencies of great hackers
giraffesoft.ca

Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#2

Post by dan_sim » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:15 PM UTC

I don't want to start a war but I'd say that this list is about the differences between a Windows VS Linux developer. The thing behind what is said is "get your eyes off of the nice UI. Look and type code".

Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#3

Post by jwilliams » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:24 PM UTC

Typing speed? Not sure how much code people here write per hour, but I doubt typing speed is a real issue (the ratio of my staring at the screen thinking versus coding is probably 10:1).

Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#4

Post by hairsupply » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:27 PM UTC

jwilliams wrote: post #3

Typing speed? Not sure how much code people here write per hour, but I doubt typing speed is a real issue (the ratio of my staring at the screen thinking versus coding is probably 10:1).

Agreed. Typing speed is very important when writing new features, but reading and comprehension speed is much more important for when you are fixing bugs in a multimillion line codebase.

Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#5

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:31 PM UTC

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Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#6

Post by danielharan » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:31 PM UTC

jwilliams wrote: post #3

Typing speed? Not sure how much code people here write per hour, but I doubt typing speed is a real issue (the ratio of my staring at the screen thinking versus coding is probably 10:1).

It's not a "real" issue, so much as a proxy. I've never seen a good hacker look at their keyboard, whereas there are plenty of people that get out of flow looking for a symbol.

If a person can't type, I simply assume they're a noob and don't want them on my team. I don't expect them to have a very different ration of thinking vs. coding though :)

Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#7

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:31 PM UTC

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Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#8

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:32 PM UTC

[deleted] wrote: post #7

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Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#9

Post by hairsupply » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:32 PM UTC

- Type fast - Use Linux - Use TextMate/VI/emacs - Don't read documentation

Sounds like "Core competencies of ruby on rails hackers"

Re: Core competencies of great hackers

#10

Post by tom_rath » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:35 PM UTC

jwilliams wrote: post #3

Typing speed? Not sure how much code people here write per hour, but I doubt typing speed is a real issue (the ratio of my staring at the screen thinking versus coding is probably 10:1).

I believe that corresponds with comfortable familiarity with and proper use of one's tools.

I view a non-touch-typing hacker/coder much like a carpenter who drives nails using a hammer's handle. (The inevitable reaction from both camps: Hey, what's your problem? I'm using my tools to get the job done!)