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From: endres@ittvax.UUCP (Mack Endres)
Newsgroups: net.lang
Subject: Re: Superstition in Programmers
Message-ID: <1214@ittvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 4-Jan-84 14:22:06 EST
Article-I.D.: ittvax.1214
Posted: Wed Jan  4 14:22:06 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Jan-84 00:54:33 EST
References: <2656@yale-com.UUCP> abnjh.348
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The best discussion of programmer superstition of which I'm aware is
in a paper by Dan Freedman of Ethnotech, Inc. The material was first
presented as the keynote address of the 1973 Computer Personnel Research
Conference, and is distributed by Ethnotech as part of their Technical 
Leadership Workshop (A testimonial: well worth the time if you can convince 
someone to pay for it) and is titled "Computer Magic".

Summary:

Anthropologists since Bronislaw Malinowski have observed BOTH the practice
of science (where the people have a great deal of knowledge and control) and
magic (where there are factors not subject to control) in primitive tribes. For
esample, boats are built scientifically but magic is used to provide calm
sailing weather.

Freedman observed and classified several kinds of computer magic practiced by
late night sessions in an acedemic computing center:

Mana- a supernatural force found in an object or individual, for example,
the magical two cards which correct a documentation error are passed around
with no explanation of the error or correction.

Ritual- the magical power is obtained by correctly carrying out a ritual.

Name Magic- by naming the components of our universe, we gain power to
manipulate them.  We are all familiar with this.  

The desire to believe- 
	Q:	"Why does APL read from right to left?"
	A:	"It's more natural"
	or	"..because of the hardware"
	or	"Don't worry about it, just remember..."

Freedman concludes by observing that such magical beliefs must be 
identified early in the education of programmers- particularly important
is knowledge of when differences matter. Magic (and superstition) can
only be combated by science.

Mack Endres (...decvax!ittvax!endres)