Ask HN: Why do you code?

#1

Post by astrowilliam » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:07 PM UTC

The absolute most basic reason possible for me, I can make something out of nothing.

Even after being a front end dev for the last 10ish years it blows my mind. I can open up a blank text editor and make something that can evoke emotion in other people.

I can create beautiful and amazing experiences for people (self high 5!) around the world in just 1 night of coding.

What about you?

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#2

Post by Jeremy1026 » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:19 PM UTC

Recently: To pay the bills.

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#3

Post by pixeloution » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:20 PM UTC

I like solving puzzles. Often that puzzle in my world is "How do we make sense of all this data for business users" or even as simple as "How do we make this faster?".

Also, its well compensated. If this was a 50k/year job I'd have found a new career by now.

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#4

Post by jpetersonmn » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:21 PM UTC

I mostly code so I can save time doing things at work. I work in IT and am able to save many man hours by automating tasks. This makes me much more productive and valuable than other members of my team that don't have these skills. I'm really surprised by the lack of coding by IT people in general. At least the people I know.

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#5

Post by astrowilliam » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:24 PM UTC

Jeremy1026 wrote: post #2

Recently: To pay the bills.

Do you still enjoy it? The reason I ask is that I go through slumps where I just don't have any creative juice left for a while.

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#6

Post by dav43 » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:24 PM UTC

Jeremy1026 wrote: post #2

Recently: To pay the bills.

ha, a Monday response on Friday.

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#7

Post by himanshuy » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:25 PM UTC

I code that people can buy some more crap.

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#8

Post by emhart » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:25 PM UTC

Originally because it was fun and helped pay the bills. More and more recently I code to better understand things I'm thinking about or build small tools that are useful to me.

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#9

Post by astrowilliam » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:26 PM UTC

jpetersonmn wrote: post #4

I mostly code so I can save time doing things at work. I work in IT and am able to save many man hours by automating tasks. This makes me much more productive and valuable than other members of my team that don't have these skills. I'm really surprised by the lack of coding by IT people in general. At least the people I know.

Work smarter, not harder. That's how to keep a job :)

Re: Ask HN: Why do you code?

#10

Post by astrowilliam » Fri, Dec 12, 2014, 3:26 PM UTC

himanshuy wrote: post #7

I code that people can buy some more crap.

Very optimistic.