http://qs321.pair.com?node_id=405174


in reply to noveling and software design

What to do think of the similarities between auto mechanics and software designers? The processes seem close. Consider the subsystems of a vehicle and the process of isolating problems to allow them to be fixed. It seems much like debugging.

However, mechanic work is typically 'debugging'. Some good mechanics do improvise and even design new systems to improve or just fix vehicle problems.

Would most mechanics make good software developers? Even if they would, would they like it? Would a mechanic would be happy sitting in front of a computer all day.

Well, now you know what I was thinking about yesterday trying to figure out why my car wouldn't start. :)

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re^2: noveling and software design
by apotheon (Deacon) on Nov 05, 2004 at 02:28 UTC

    I don't think there's so much of a parallel between software design and working as an automotive mechanic. The analogous profession would an automotive engineer. The auto mechanic is more like someone who specializes in debugging and never writes code from scratch, in a way, but at the same time the analogy is even then a bit too flimsy and seems to break down.

    Then again, I know only very basic rudiments of automotive mechanics, so I may not be the best judge in the world of such an analogy's validity.

    - apotheon
    CopyWrite Chad Perrin

[reply]

In Section Meditations