To those not in the IT industry, what do you think programming is like?

httpjames@sh.itjust.works to Asklemmy@lemmy.ml – 199 points –

I've always been curious as to what "normal" people think programming is like. The wildest theory I've heard is "typing ones and zeroes" (I'm a software engineer)

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@httpjames Back in the day I liked to dabble in Linux, and I always liked the IT people in the larger firms I worked at so I imagine it's understanding basics of code, and then a lot of googling for fixes to problems people have already dealt with, composting code with templates and tweaking it to work with the specifics of the job at hand and then taking credit for saving everything because people are dumb.

I know it's a typo, but I like the idea of composting code. A lot of it is turning to shit and has gotten moldy, so the metaphor is apt. Gotta mix it up with some fresh stuff, and turn it around every so often and you'll end up with gold if you can give it the proper time

My job is pretty much this but instead of Google, I have gigs of notes from people who have quit long before me.