Xref: utzoo comp.software-eng:4181 misc.jobs.misc:8404 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!ucsd!ucbvax!agate!linus!nixbur!nixpbe!peun11!josef From: josef@nixpbe.UUCP (Moellers) Newsgroups: comp.software-eng,misc.jobs.misc Subject: Re: some advice to a software engineer Message-ID: Date: 17 Sep 90 07:10:16 GMT References: Sender: news@nixpbe.nixdorf.de Followup-To: comp.software-eng Distribution: comp Lines: 33 In kpc00@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (kpc) writes: >What do you think of this as advice to a software ungulate, or to a >software engineer? >========== >Engineering is a creative act. By that I mean that you have the power >to determine the quality of the products that you design. You also >have the power to decide what should be designed and what should not >be designed. Both are creative undertakings, each in its way. [Rest deleted, unfortunatly] This is a very idealistic assumption. From my experience in the commercial world, You are told what to design. Usually the quality of the products is dependent on the time frame You have. If Your "customers" (whoever that is) want it NOW, quality has to wait (infinitely). Only a very strong person can withstand this pressure. Even if You say to yourself: "Better late than bad", Your neigbour will deliver junk in time and win the contract. Nobody will ever find out what YOU might have delivered a week later. HE will state that the repairs he'll have to make to the product are "necessary" or whatever. Look at the stuff around and You see what I mean. (Just a couple of thoughts by a disillusioned SW engeneer) -- | Josef Moellers | c/o Nixdorf Computer AG | | USA: mollers.pad@nixdorf.com | Abt. PXD-S14 | | !USA: mollers.pad@nixdorf.de | Heinz-Nixdorf-Ring | | Phone: (+49) 5251 104662 | D-4790 Paderborn |