Michel Billard

In my last post, I talked about how I was not a programmer. Since that post, I thought about what I really was and looked around to see what would best describe what I do at work. Luckily for me, someone tried to figure out the difference between a computer scientist, a programmer and a developer. I thought his definitions for the programmer and the developer were pretty accurate. Also, the developer definition was much more fitting for me.

They write code. Making it well-factored and clean is important, but other factors often take priority. Math skills are very much optional, but it does help to be aware of common problems and solutions related to the domain they are in. Communication and people skills are paramount. Process and team dynamics are bread and butter skills. They are consummate generalists without any truly deep specializations. They are expert at finding ways around problems and plugging components together to fulfill a set of requirements. In their personal time they are either trying to build the next Facebook, or engage in activities that have nothing to do with programming, developing, or computer science.

That’s pretty much dead on. I’m always thinking about useful new apps, tools, projects that would first and foremost benefit me, but that could probably be useful to a large group of people. I love working in a team where I can help others with my knowledge (and learn from them too).

Since I build web application, I can say that I am a web developer (with a specialization in front-end web development).

What about software engineers?

The post explaining the difference between different programing professions was lacking the software engineer definition, so I’ll take a stab at it.

A software engineer is part developer and part manager. He is taught the ways of programming without ever digging in deep enough to be considered an expert. The software engineer is also taught multiple software development processes which he can then adapt to the situation. He also knows the basics to managing projects which makes him a great candidate for future management positions after he has had first hand experience with software development. A software engineer is a manager in the making.

My job is to program web applications. To accomplish this, I have to do a lot of things: code the back-end, write the markup, tweak the SQL queries, arrange the styling, etc. Programming is a huge part of my work, but the thing is that I don’t feel like a programmer. I’m also pretty good at doing all of the above, I’d rate myself a 8 or 9 on 10 (where 10 is a guru) at all the skills I just listed.

The actual act of programming is not the reason why I program, I do it for the results. That probably explains why I prefer to use high level languages that abstract most of the boring parts of programming and let me get from the idea to the implementation as fast as possible.

I don’t exactly know what I really am if I’m not a programmer. I really like creating web applications, thinking of new features or new projects that I could do, but I never look forward to actually coding it. I like playing with the markup, the styling and the client-side behavior (the whole front-end), but I hate programming what’s under the hood.

Any other programmers out there feeling that they are programming out of necessity instead of passion?

I already mentioned that I participate as a cyber-mentor at Academos, a site where student get the chance to talk with professionals from all domains to ask them what the work is like, how to get there and what to expect once you become a professional. If you are a high school teacher (in Quebec, Canada), I strongly suggest that you take a look at the site and see what it can offer for your students.

Next week, I’m taking it to another level. A high school student will be following me for a day (not much following to do since I work on the computer all day). This will not impact my work too much and I will be able to help someone experience first hand what his potential future career will look like, about 6 years before being able to get there.

Helping the future software engineers is something we, at Hint Innovation, and I truly believe in. We depend on what the education system builds, in terms of graduates, and as employers of future graduates, I think it’s important to be a part of that system.

Web development education is at a critical point, it’s mostly untouched by software engineering formations but most companies now need professional Web developers. There are places other than universities that teach Web development, but they don’t teach the same things as the universities. Both are needed, but currently only one exists.