Started programming on a Vic20 in 1981, kept hacking away for 25 years before going into management in investment banking, telecoms and was c-level in listed companies.
I got noticed by being good at developing small pieces of code to fix a specific problem that individuals had. Code quality did not matter, just the function of the end product. Easy to deliver, nightmare to manage on-going. Agile came in because so many others had the same nightmare.
Got fed up with computers and changed to Landscaping/Building starting as a basic laborer, had great fun and learnt an immense amount but was hard work on the body.
Not long-term sustainable which is why I guess lots of co-workers my age go into specialisation, particularly in joining two separate disciplines into 'their' skill. The best bit for me was seeing a tangible result each day, and this is on display to everyone.
I've been back developing code full-time for 4 years now and nothing makes me happier to see concepts come to digital reality. Even if I am the only one that sees my daily progress, I am happy. I know now, eventually people see at the end of the project.
Managing expectations.
Development is the balance of enjoying coding for the coder while delivering for the user, (whoever pays the bills).
I assume this is why there are so many open-source love projects, which fits into the playing an instrument for fun.
I got noticed by being good at developing small pieces of code to fix a specific problem that individuals had. Code quality did not matter, just the function of the end product. Easy to deliver, nightmare to manage on-going. Agile came in because so many others had the same nightmare.
Got fed up with computers and changed to Landscaping/Building starting as a basic laborer, had great fun and learnt an immense amount but was hard work on the body. Not long-term sustainable which is why I guess lots of co-workers my age go into specialisation, particularly in joining two separate disciplines into 'their' skill. The best bit for me was seeing a tangible result each day, and this is on display to everyone.
I've been back developing code full-time for 4 years now and nothing makes me happier to see concepts come to digital reality. Even if I am the only one that sees my daily progress, I am happy. I know now, eventually people see at the end of the project.
Managing expectations.
Development is the balance of enjoying coding for the coder while delivering for the user, (whoever pays the bills). I assume this is why there are so many open-source love projects, which fits into the playing an instrument for fun.
But hey, it's like that Sunblock Song...