CTO Blog
My 13-year old son recently told me that he wants to be a computer programmer. A devastating announcement that threw me back into deep, introspective thoughts. You start to imagine all sorts of things. Where did it go wrong? Did he have a nasty accident in kindergarten and the teacher never dared to tell me? Does he eat enough fiber? Shouldn’t I have talked more with him about all the great things you can do in life?
Let’s be honest. I was utterly depressed.
Finally I came to reason, about three or four weeks later. I started to discuss with him. My son had not yet an idea of what programming language he wanted to learn. Some fuzzy MSN buddy had suggested him to dive into C++. It’s remarkable how calm you can stay under deep pressure. I felt this almost Buddhist joy of forgiveness when I told him – without shouting – which crimes have been committed in the past twenty years in the name of C++. That many of his crashing applications have been written by C++ programmers that love to do silly, funny things with computer memory. That the so called buffer overflow has inspired a whole generation of hackers. That C++ teaching books are no longer allowed in hand luggage at Heathrow. That the programming language is ridiculously complex, like its modern brothers Java and C#, and that you have to be an expert in maths to understand it.
Especially this last argument had effect. Maths! That’s for losers and nerds.
So far, so good. This road would not be taken. But then, what was the alternative? I started to realise that my son has a completely different view of what programming actually is. He is – of course – mainly interested in building web sites. And he does not intend to start from scratch. He envisions a window with an eclectic composition of YouTube movies, satellite images and the built-in search of Google, Flickr pictures and a news feed from Blogger. You know, as a first exercise.
Obviously the profile of a Mashup Programmer, 2006 style. The concept of ‘mashup’ (also: ‘bastard pop’) is familiar to most teens: DJ’s mix two songs, taking the music track of one song and the vocals of another. For instance Kylie Minogue, doing something metaphysical with lalalalalalalala on the booming beat of New Order’s Blue Monday.
Oh well, it’s just an example.
Now, the same principals are applied to building applications for the browsers. Mashup applications are build with lightweight programming languages that seem to be created to glue together bits and pieces of functionality that can be found all across the Web. Languages like Javascript, PHP and Python and certainly also even newer relatives like Ruby on Rails (arguably the star of this time) and Water, a language which was designed to build and compose web services.
Mashup programming looks like a lightish, not so serious activity. But the success is determined by the combination of fast and flexible orchestration on one hand and the availability of mission-critical, robust services on the other hand. Just think of the efficiency of the server farm that is hidden between that simple Google Search interface.
In the near future, Mashup services won’t just be made available by Flickr, MySpace or Yahoo: IT departments of ‘ordinary’ organizations will develop them too. They will enable other parts of the organization to quickly compose smart, opportunistic applications at exactly the place where it counts: close to new business opportunities. And it won’t take long before we need more Mashup programmers than classically educated software engineers from the past.
Not such a bad career perspective after all. I’ll check it anyway. About that fiber.
About the author
- More at
Excuse me sir but it wasn’t very nice to say that you were “depressed”, “devastated” when your son said he wanted to be a programmer. I’ve been programming ever since I got my first computer ( a 386DX ) and I’ve always enjoyed it. It makes you a better person. Why? Well, it teaches you patience and enables you to pay attention to detail. Nothing else in this world is going to teach these two invaluable qualities. I am making it my career ( well, not as a programmer but I hope to be a product developer one day ) and it has always given me an edge over my peers and even my seniors
So its not so bad after all.
Yes, and I do agree about what a mess C++ is. But Java and C# are rather good improvements over it
A quite intrestingidea is realized in this website! And a good and easy to handle design has been found too!
I’ve actually had a few conversations with colleagues around this topic in recent years so thought I would throw in my two pence worth (no guarantees on that value by the way!)
Let’s start by pointing out a fairly basic observation – programming nowadays barely resembles that of the a decade or two ago, which in turn was a world apart from the FORTRAN IV, BASIC or Machine Code days. As a premise this dictates your son’s generation will look back at our prehistoric programming approaches (such as highlighted above) with equal cynacism.
Having said that, I would also point out that the basic principles remain consistent … logical thinking, modular design, rational approaches and so forth.
This is where I think we should specifically focus on generating our future generation of software developers (or whatever nom de plume is applied to the career).
As an aside, this obviously distracts from the pigeon-holing of career we have suffered from for some time now.
On the subject of becoming an expert in maths (please note the ‘s’, short for mathematical sciences just physics is for physical sciences – sorry, as a mathematician I couldn’t resist comment!) It could be argued that, given the above, this represents an excellent foundation to the skills listed earlier.
This does lead to another very interesting debate. We have all read of the rapid decline in the adoption of sciences and languages (another subject which can prove an interesting grounding for programming skills). This should seriously worry all of us, but put yourselves in you children’s shoes. Wouldn’t you prefer to adopt subjects such as management consulting or hairdressing – as recognised as “iconic” careers? (see http://www.silicon.com/cxoextra/0,3800005416,39161651,00.htm)
To put it another way, why learn subject for which there is minimal employment? … Or does this return to the earlier topic of pigeon-hole careers? Perhaps we need to focus our children on the ingredients rather than the recipe.
@Dinesh,
Don’t take things too seriously. The author was just mentioning the lighter side of programming. I have been programming since a long time and I found the article humorous and informative.
@Dinesh & Pete: just to make sure, I was a programmer for many, many years – a classically educated software engineer – and definitely, thoroughly enjoyed it. Well, okay, here’s my coming out: I even taught C++ at the The Hague Polytechnic and wrote a book about the language… Now you know. Deleted it from my CV, of course.
The irony in my words should be obvious.
Nevertheless, I hold on to my opinion. About the fiber, that is.
@Brian,
Thanks for your excellent builds. And I changed ‘math’ to ‘maths’. As a Dutchmen, a non-native English speaker and writer, it’s just difficult every now and then to produce decent English.
Thanks Ron – Was actually meant as a tongue-in-cheek dig at any american readers.
Hopefully my comments generally will spur some feedback though.
Ron – I think you’re right on about mashups, and if Excel taught us anything, end users will bring them to the desktop to solve business problems soon enough.
When I was growing up I used HyperCard which taught me a lot about programming in a fun, digestible way prior to getting my first C++ book.
I wrote a post about mashups and gluing environments a week back (http://www.protosw.com/blog/), and if your son wants to learn some basic programming concepts in a friendly environment, he’s welcome to a non-commercial, inquisitive-mind license of our software.
Ron – I think you’re right on about mashups, and if Excel taught us anything, end users will bring them to the desktop to solve business problems soon enough.
http://www.top-paare.de
I think these blog is really useful for new comers and Excellent resource list.
Enjoyed browsing through the site. You have very useful information. Keep up the good work.
Thanks and Greetings
It´s a very interesting theme and a simple answer of many questions
Great and excellent article t’s realy helpful. Thanks again.
Fantastic article covering some points I really needed some good usability info for.
Great and excellent article t’s realy helpful. Thanks again.
Excellent article it’s realy helpful, keep up the good work!
Excellent article it’s realy helpful, keep up the good work!
Thank you.
Fantastic article covering some points I really needed some good usability info for.
I think these blog is really useful for new comers and Excellent resource list.
.Thanks Ron – Was actually meant as a tongue-in-cheek dig at any american readers..
Hopefully my comments generally will spur some feedback though..
.A .quite intrestingidea is realized in this website! And a good and easy to handle design has been found too!.
Great article, can I translate it and put on my site?
Having said that, I would also point out that the basic principles remain consistent … logical thinking, modular design, rational approaches and so forth..
It´s a very useful article. Thanks!
Fantastic article covering some points I really needed some good usability info for. Best regards
Good article, thanks a lot for putting all this together.
A quite interesting idea is realized in this website! And a good and easy to handle design has been found too!
This site is interesting and very informative, nicely interface. Enjoyed browsing through the site. Keep up the good work. Greetings
great site with very good look and perfect information…i like it
nice side
…This site is interesting and very informative, nicely interface. Enjoyed browsing through the site. Keep up the good work. Greetings….
its very easy
There are so many useful and interesting informations on this site! Thanks and greetings from Thuringia in Germany!
Very usefull article. Thank you!
Ron – I think you’re right on about mashups, and if Excel taught us anything, end users will bring them to the desktop to solve business problems soon enough.
Thanks for very interesting article. btw. I really enjoyed reading all of your posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view… makes you think more. It’s really good written and I fully agree with You on main issue, btw. I must say that I really enjoyed reading all of Your posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view…
You can just imagine how you made my birthday complete with this post.
Cheer up! When I was thirteen I also wanted to be a programmer. I’m not one now. So, there may still be hope for your son!
He he…
The reason I wanted to be a programmer was so that I could create games. Adventure games to be exact. In fact, if I could have worked for Sierra back then I would have been delighted! Then I started giving it a bash – and maths was also what made me become thoroughly turned off to the idea. I realised that I didn’t want to program, I just wanted to design games. And, actually, what intrigued me about adventure games was the idea of a story line. Hence, I came to the conclusion, that I wanted to be a writer not a computer programmer. You can guess what I’m doing now…
So, there still may be hope for your son! Don’t give up
Cheer up! When I was thirteen I also wanted to be a programmer. I’m not one now. So, there may still be hope for your son!
He he…
The reason I wanted to be a programmer was so that I could create games. Adventure games to be exact. In fact, if I could have worked for Sierra back then I would have been delighted! Then I started giving it a bash – and maths was also what made me become thoroughly turned off to the idea. I realised that I didn’t want to program, I just wanted to design games. And, actually, what intrigued me about adventure games was the idea of a story line. Hence, I came to the conclusion, that I wanted to be a writer not a computer programmer. You can guess what I’m doing now…
So, there still may be hope for your son! Don’t give up
Cheer up! When I was thirteen I also wanted to be a programmer. I’m not one now. So, there may still be hope for your son!
The reason I wanted to be a programmer was so that I could create games. Adventure games to be exact. In fact, if I could have worked for Sierra back then I would have been delighted! Then I started giving it a bash – and maths was also what made me become thoroughly turned off to the idea. I realised that I didn’t want to program, I just wanted to design games. And, actually, what intrigued me about adventure games was the idea of a story line. Hence, I came to the conclusion, that I wanted to be a writer not a computer programmer. You can guess what I’m doing now…
So, there still may be hope for your son! Don’t give up
Programmer is a great job. You son will earn enough money
I think it’s great that your son is going to earn money.
thanx for nothing
I think these blog is really useful and great informations
Good blog.
Odszkodowania
tdfsdfdfsdf
sağolasin a.qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
süperrrrrrrrrrr
güzelmişşşşş
baba gibiiiiii
çok süperrr
süperrrrrrrr
Hi there, I think kids need a lot of support and understanding by finding their way. By using pressure – it will not work out! Everybody has to find it!
thanks for the nice article!
Thanks very cici
Why wouldn’t you want to let your kid follow your footsteps? You must have been worthy of emulation that he wants to follow you. I think current courses for programmers aren’t that serious. So don’t be afraid having a nerd or a weirdo out of your son after enrolling himself in a computer-related subject.
Kisssss
Hi there, I think kids need a lot of support and understanding by finding their way. By using pressure – it will not work out! Everybody has to find it!
thanks for the nice article!
merci..
thanks..
merci boku:=))
thanks
thank you
You can just imagine how you made my birthday complete with this post.
Hi there, I think kids need a lot of support and understanding by finding their way. By using pressure – it will not work out! Everybody has to find it!
aid:
thanks for the nice article!
Thanks for this really useful article.Great cheat sheet, I appreciate it very much.
süperrrrrrrrrrrrr
dododddddddddddddddd
offffffffffffffffffffff
Digitürk
Digitürk
Thank you.
very very good.
Thank you very good.
ist a great site – thanks for the informations
very good site
that looks really great
Thanks Good stuf Thanks and greetings
Hello, i think it’s nice website. I found so many important things in here. Greetings, see you later
cool thanks
thanks…
thanks for the nice article!
Thanks
all thanks brb nice
thanks…
Thanks for very useful article. I really enjoyed reading all of your posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view… makes you think more. So please keep up the great work.
Great Stuff, thx.
thanks…
thank you so much
thanks
thank you so much.i was bookmarked.
good information.thanks a lot.
thanksssssssssss
Successful website
thank you
thanks..
thank you
thanksss
thanked post
very thanks
thanks..
thanks !
Great and excellent article it’s realy helpful. Thanks again.
Thank you for very good article!
Thanks.Good website.
thankssssssss
thankssssss
Thanks for the great sharing.
Hi. You know what guys? I think this is very good idea, but I am affraid but not for me
Great job !
Thank you wermac
siirt
THANKS
thank yo for all informations.
thank you….
thank yoU for all informations.
thank you….
TOURS
10x
great
balloon
asf
Hi. You know what guys? I think this is very good idea, but I am affraid but not for me
cool thanks
Speacial Thx !
Camfrog Video Chat Forums http://www.undeadcf.info
Thank you! Very interesting and helpful article.
Good Article!
Very interesting and helpful article. Thx for it !
Mashup programming is definitely a very popular form of programming, and you’re right about that when we see the popularity of Python and Ruby (Python still seems to be very popular compared to Ruby, but Ruby is definitely very popular.) I suppose that it is the ultimate form of where OpenSource takes us – as we can really mix and mash applications and other people’s programming into something that works even better. I think, personally, that it’s a very good thing.
Thanks. for article, its nice
The deal will be simple: anyone can download, rip, and mix this video, but if you plan to make money from it – even selling ads next to it – you have to cut a deal with
but if you plan to make money from it – even selling ads next to it – you have to cut a deal
plan to make money from it – even selling ads next to it – you have to cut
Very interesting and helpful article. Thx for it !
I think really useful for new comers and Excellent resource list. It´s a very interesting Blog and simple answer of many questions.
I guess that the music analogy is certainly the best way of explaining this. A mix of so many different popular styles in an effort to be not just popular, but insanely super-popular. I guess that mashup programming very much has that kind of idea in mind – the effort of being super-popular and having the programme that accesses ALL the excellent platforms and services out there. Interesting indeed!
but if you plan to make money from it – even selling ads next to it – you have to cut a deal
thank you
The deal will be simple: anyone can download, rip, and mix this video, but if you plan to make money from it – even selling ads next to it – you have to cut a deal with
Very interesting article. Thank you!
Wonderful and informative web site.I used information from that site its great.
Thanks for the information. It is an useful article for me
interesting article
thank for the very nice infos !!
Very good thank you very much treyler
nice theme its great thanks.
nice theme its great thanks.
thank you
posted
great
Adobe may jump on it early at NAB 2007
thanks
thanks
very thanks for you!! Otelcii..
thanks good blog
Very good thank you very much for this information.online parça kontör
web tasarım, web dizayn konusunda 10 yıllık güven ve tecerübe
web tasarım, web dizayn konusunda 10 yıllık güven ve tecerübe
web tasarım, web dizayn konusunda 10 yıllık güven ve tecerübe
web tasarım, web dizayn konusunda 10 yıllık güven ve tecerübe
Thanks you admin mucuk :p
Thanks for very useful article. I really enjoyed reading all of your posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view… makes you think more. So please keep up the great work.
Thank You
thanks for the article on yur site. it was very interessting for my
good sharing, thank you.
good sharing, thank you.
good sharing, thank you.
Thank You
Thank You
thanks you for the informations, your blog is usefull to mee..
Teşekkürler
This site is interesting and very informative, wesele nicely interface. Enjoyed browsing through the site.
thanks.
Thanks your article.
thanks very good
muhabbet
muhabbet odası
muhabbet odaları
muhabbetim
kameralı muhabbet
gay muhabbet
dul muhabbet
Sohbet
sohbet odası
sohbet odaları
kameralı sohbet
Thanks Your Web Site.
Leah is definitely the one who should win. Science Fiction Conventions? What?! She deserves a win, indeed!
thanks very good
Thans
I’m guessing the only way to do this in Javascript would be to use the onresize event, and then using the resizeTo method to attempt to keep the window at the size you want?
Keyer Çelik A.Ş.
1993′den beri Çıpa Marka Şerit Testere Üretici Firma Tel:0212 664 22 00
thanks
By the way, the stacking only happens on firefox. I am on v 3.0.1. Explorer, opera and safari seem OK.
thanks
thanks
Dil öğrenimi için başlıca merkezlerden biri olan Malta;
İngilizce öğrenme sürecini Akdeniz’ in kültürü ve harika doğal güzelliği ile birleştirmek isteyenler için ideal bir seçim.
İngilizce adanın resmi dili ve heryerde konuşuluyor.
Diyet Yemek Tarifleri Listeleri
thank capgemini
Question though, lets say I wanted to display text to the right of the big image when I click on the thumbnail. Like, it would be a description of the picture. How would I do that?
Camfrog News Program http://www.cfhaber.com/
Camfrog News Haber Program http://www.cfhaber.com/
Camfrog News Haber Program http://www.cfhaber.com/
http://www.lider-blog.blogspot.com
dantel ,oya örgü
good luck about your designs.
have a nica holiday
If enough voices are heard things can be changed.
thanks sir..
While freelancing is tough I think it can certainly be very beneficial for new web designers, giving you a chance to get some experience and increase your skill-set on your own terms without having to endure bad pay and even worse employers.
though seemingly admired in the edit, were in fact kinda greasy, and unwieldy.
supper…
Question though, lets say I wanted to display text to the right of the big image when I click on the thumbnail. Like, it would be a description of the picture. How would I do that?
http://sifalibitkiler.kadinsak.com
Most web designers know that the value of Google is in its utility, not its appearance. Can it still be canonical? Absolutely.
Thank you very much for this information.I like This site! Thanks!
interesting
Excellent info for everyone…
If enough voices are heard things can be changed.
thanks
thank you admin
thanks for this post.
best regards
Very good article !!!
Very good article !!!
Thank for the great Topic. Congratulations.
thanks you
cok tesekkur ederum
thanks for this post.
cool plugin. thanks.
Realy good artcle, nice job.
Realy good artcle, nice job..
thanks for this great article.
Very good article !!!
it’s such a wonderful article. thanks for this.
i’ve shared this information with all my friends!
it is great
yes, thanks
Hi there, I think kids need a lot of support and understanding by finding their way. By using pressure – it will not work out! Everybody has to find it!
Hi. You know what guys? I think this is very good idea, but I am affraid but not for me!
Don’t take things too seriously. The author was just mentioning the lighter side of programming
A quite interesting idea is realized in this website! And a good and easy to handle design has been found too!
Hi. You know what guys? I think this is very good idea, but I am affraid but not for me!
I think these blog is really useful for new comers and Excellent resource list.
i’ve shared this information with all my friends!
Cheer up! When I was thirteen I also wanted to be a programmer. I’m not one now. So, there may still be hope for your son!
Why Second Life is considered “sharing” while Youtube is commercial???
I think Second Life should be considered Commercial/RW, at least you must pay something even to upload a file in SL.. While in Youtube it is free….
Maybe SL could be another good example of hybrid…. anyway..
thanks so much. greetingz from Turkey
Very helfull for my work and my project. best regards
nice blog, good stuff and some helpful informations,well done
nice blog, good stuff and some helpful informations,well done
Fantastic links, subscribed to a few of these!
good job and nice article
good job and nice article
thanks
Can somebody help to translate it into Polish?
Can somebody help to translate it into Polish?
Can somebody help to translate it into Polish?
Can somebody help to translate it into Polish?
Can somebody help to translate it into Polish?
Can somebody help to translate it into Polish?
arc furnace sales http://www.aytekno.com/
thank you
very good …
i’ve shared this information with all my friends!
thnak youu adminnn
thankssss
thank youua dminn
Its a very good post. I was very pleased to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this great read.
Thanks a lot for that a fantastically amazing post. such a very fine post.
This is a very useful post, I was looking for this info. thanks for sharing the great ideas…
This is a wonderful blog, I discovered your web site researching google for a similar theme and came to this.
Hi there, I think kids need a lot of support and understanding by finding their way. By using pressure – it will not work out! Everybody has to find it!
usefull and cool thanks alot
nice pages
I think type of site that is useful in sharing information and it is important to shar.Web proliferation of new developments in the field of design and entrepreneurial spirit of people who have very beautiful and pleasing to be professional
yeni projeniz için bir tasarımcı ortağa ihtiyacınız varsa, o kişiye kolaylıkla
I think type of site that is useful in sharing information and it is important to shar.Web proliferation of new developments in the field of design and entrepreneurial spirit of people who have very beautiful and pleasing to be professional.Site concept and sharing are quality thank you.
I think type of site that is useful in sharing information and it is important to shar.Web proliferation of new developments in the field of design and entrepreneurial spirit of people who have very beautiful and pleasing to be professional.Site concept and sharing are quality thank you.
I think type of site that is useful in sharing information and it is important to shar.Web proliferation of new developments in the field of design and entrepreneurial spirit of people who have very beautiful and pleasing to be professional.Site concept and sharing are quality thank you.
First of this type of site we provide users the opportunity because of this beautiful and quality we give our respect.
First of this type of site we provide users the opportunity because of this beautiful and quality we give our respect.
Share admin thanks a lot for sharing a very successful and wonderful.
possibility of sharing and social solidarity at a level just fine
possibility of sharing and social solidarity at a level just fine
How to speed up internet technology. Thank you
How to speed up internet technology. Thank you
How to speed up internet technology? Thank you..
Your site is very useful in terms of cultural exchange. Thank you
Your site is very useful in terms of cultural
Your site is very useful in terms of cultural
Your site is very useful in terms of cultural
Your site is very useful in terms of cultural
Your site is very useful in terms of cultural exchange.Thanks
Your site is very useful in terms of cultural exchange.Thanks
think type of site that is useful in sharing information and it is important to shar.Web proliferation of new developments in the field of design and entrepreneurial spirit of people
Thanks admin
thanks admin
Very useful in terms of sharing people.
I always follow your site thank you wish you continued success. Thank you.
I always follow your site thank you wish you continued success. Thank you.
I always follow your site thank you wish you continued success.
I always follow your site thank you wish you continued success. Thank you.
wish you continued success
There are beautiful thanks for sharing web design
There are beautiful thanks for sharing web design
There are beautiful thanks for sharing web design
thanks for sharing web design
thanks for sharing web design
I wish you continued success sharing, thank you
thanks for useful and succesfull sharings.
Your site has very nice, thank you for sharing.
acerdestek@acerdestek.net
Your site has very nice, thank you for sharing.
Your site has very nice, thank you for sharing.
Your site has very nice, thank you for sharing.
thank you for sharing your site I found useful.
thanks admin very nice site
I like to post this comment .It helps a lot.The one thing I do know for sure, if that day comes, is that when it’s wedding cake cutting time, I will NOT make the same mistake I witness at every wedding. I will not be serving Champagne with dessert, but rather the slightly sweet and fizzy dessert wine,..
Thanks and Regards
thanks
yes best regards.
okey best regards thanks…
good job
You can find lots of medical games in our surgery games archieve. Doctor Games, Anatomy Games, Hospital Games, Dental Games, Cardio Games and Nurse Games
Thanks for the hints.
Thanks for the hints.
tnk
teşekürler
Your place to play free online doctor games. Stocked frequently with new doctor games, including Hospital Games, Anatomy Games, Surgeon Games, Dentist Games, Medical Games and Nurse Games .
thanks
http://www.ureticy.com
http://www.pchayat.com
http://www.kalekapilari.org
Thanks, really nice page.
http://www.sms-puls.de
Regards
very nice
All information is exciting and eye-catching.
Excellent. Thanks.
Thank you for good sharing
Thanks for the hints
thank you admin very good
A competent but not necessarily technical person can have an idea and by
using Arduinos and its associated programming language be able to
express it in a reasonable short time at very little cost. There is a
real magic in that su deposu
http://www.sudeposu.cc
You have made this topic easy to read,This is a wonderfully written article. You must have done a lot of interesting and easy to understand. research in this area.
I think type of site that is useful in sharing information and it is important to shar.Web proliferation of new developments in the field of design and entrepreneurial spirit of people who have very beautiful and pleasing to be professional.Site concept and sharing are quality thank you
8. I think this is one of the most important info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The site style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
This has helped me when deciding what to have for dinner so as to not repeat meals quite so often.
Thank you so much with regard to serving to make the put up reply many points we’ve got come across before now.