--- Larry Andreassen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm a M developer now learning Java and all the host of technologies > similar > to those mentioned in the original job posting above. I somewhat > agree with > the sentiment that these non-M technologies "out there" are > relatively easy > to learn on a rudimentary level, BUT take a lot of experience and > time to > become proficient.
That reminds me of my (mis)adventures learning Scheme and Haskell (I'm using Scheme for my compiler project, BTW). It took little time to start writing some fairly interesting code, and not that much longer to feel like I was actually getting pretty good at it. But then as soon as I started sharing my code with experienced developers, the reaction was something along the lines of "What is that?!" Believe me, I understand that learning a new language well enough to be proficient with it is no easy task. It IS, however, something I expect us to be able to do. More to the point, though, I believe that the way we tend to focus on specific technologies tends to lead us t undervalue basic programming skills (and, yes, theoretical knowledge). I still believe a solid understanding of computer science is a more valuable asset than facility with any particular tool -- even if this is not generally appreciated in the industry. One other thought: There is a Scheme (and computer science) text called "How to Design Programs". One thing I found rather striking is that it has sections called "finger exercises". I believe developing facility with a language is much like learning to play a musical instrument. among other things, that means it's a LOT of work. But learning to play "at" an instrument doesn't make you a musician. Composers who do not play one or more instruments are all but unheard of, but playing an instrument doesn't make you a composer. We need composers. === Gregory Woodhouse <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> "All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." --Arthur Schopenhauer ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Do you grep through log files for problems? Stop! Download the new AJAX search engine that makes searching your log files as easy as surfing the web. DOWNLOAD SPLUNK! http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=103432&bid=230486&dat=121642 _______________________________________________ Hardhats-members mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/hardhats-members
