Comment by greenshackle2 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by greenshackle2 | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

There was once a programmer who wrote software for personal computers. "Look at how well off I am here," he said to a mainframe programmer who came to visit. "I have my own operating system and file storage device. I do not have to share my resources with anyone. The software is self-consistent and easy-to-use. Why do you not quit your present job and join me here?"

The mainframe programmer then began to describe his system to his friend, saying, "The mainframe sits like an ancient Sage meditating in the midst of the Data Center. Its disk drives lie end-to- end like a great ocean of machinery. The software is as multifaceted as a diamond, and as convoluted as a primeval jungle. The programs, each unique, move through the system like a swift-flowing river. That is why I am happy where I am."

The personal computer programmer, upon hearing this, fell silent. But the two programmers remained friends until the end of their days.

The Tao of Programming, 8.3 http://www.mit.edu/~xela/tao.html

From the Tao of programming, 1.2:

The Tao gave birth to machine language. Machine language gave birth to the assembler.

The assembler gave birth to the compiler. Now there are ten thousand languages.

Each language has its purpose, however humble. Each language expresses the Yin and Yang of software. Each language has its place within the Tao.

But do not program in COBOL if you can avoid it.

4.2:

The Master was explaining the nature of Tao to one of his novices.

"The Tao is embodied in all software -- regardless of how insignificant," said the Master.

"Is the Tao in a hand-held calculator?" asked the novice.

"It is," came the reply.

"Is the Tao in a video game?" asked the novice.

"It is even in a video game," said the Master.

"Is the Tao in the DOS for a personal computer?" asked the novice.

The Master coughed and shifted his position slightly. "The lesson is over for today," he said.

The wise programmer is told about Tao and follows it. The average programmer is told about Tao and searches for it. The foolish programmer is told about Tao and laughs at it.

In 1999, a COBOL programmer, tasked with updating bank software for the year Y2K switch, became overwhelmed.

"Look at all of this code!" he exclaimed. "I'll never be able to fix it all in time!"

Horrified by the media depictions of apocalypse brought by financial meltdown and software-launched nuclear warheads, all because of the Y2K bug, he became very anxious.

So, he went to the cryogenic freezing facility and told them, "Wake me up when Y2K is over."

He laid in the cryotube and gently fell asleep as the cold began to overtake him.

The next thing he knew, he was laying on a bed in a warm room, bright lights and white walls giving the room a certain sterility. A doctor in a lab coat was standing over him holding a clipboard.

"Oh, thank heavens!" said the programmer. "We've made it out alive!"

"Yes," said the doctor. "The year is 2999, and it says in your chart you know COBOL?"

That is how I feel every time I learn a new web framework.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com