Ask HN: Do you enjoy programming or do you see it as a means to an end (start a business)? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Do you enjoy programming or do you see it as a means to an end (start a business)?

3 pointsendtwist10 comments

This is something I've been asked personally a number of times by both people within and outside the tech industry, and I was curious what the opinions/feelings of the Hacker News community were.

Do you enjoy programming? Is it just a way to build your vision, but you don't find it fun (enjoyable)? Both, perhaps? Obviously, this might not be just a black/white issue for a lot of people, too.

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Yes, I do enjoy programming. Sometimes, it is a means to an end for me (as in to accomplish a task, not a business), but is nonetheless fun.

Typically, I find the most enjoyment out of programming when I am working on projects I want to work on. The sheer joy of seeing your creation come to life from your own two hands is immeasurable. Even fighting (and conquering) bugs and the compiler is thrilling, despite the superficial swearing.

Programming as a means to an end is also enjoyable, given certain circumstances. For example, I still feel a rush when I crank out a memorized quadratic solver program or trapezoid rule program on a TI-83/84 for a friend or classmate in math class. Also, I get my work done much faster.

However, programming as a required task is unpleasant. In my AP Computer Science course, I am required to create derivative "Bug" classes from the GridWorld API and hand it in. It is utterly boring! I feel like a code monkey every second while programming that monstrosity. It offers no benefit for me at all. The only thing I get out of the ordeal is a stupid little number (actually letter) that goes on my transcript. By the way, I also learn all essential topics (like data structures) outside of class, so I really feel like I am not missing anything interesting or useful.

At the risk of being proved incorrect or downmodded, I will offer an analogy:

Programming is like an arts-n-crafts class when you were a child. You get to create neat-looking bracelets, necklaces, ceramics, or origami in a relatively short time, but with full excitement. Best of all, you get to keep your creation and treasure it forever. That is the true reward.

Programming is also like a pointless required class in grade school. You do relatively boring projects just to fill out the graduation requirements and the only reward you get is a small number placed in the top-right corner of your paper which might give you bragging rights, if at all.

For me, programming merely for the hell of it is fun.

If you don't enjoy something about programming, I don't think you're a "hacker", to put it bluntly. The something doesn't have to be writing code, but might be solving problems with computers in a more general sense.

Why is that label important?

"Hacker News" ?

It descirbes what we all do: hack stuff together.

I guess his point was that if you dont really enjoy it you wont be a wonderful hacker. (I agree)

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=515463

Whoops, didn't see that one! Sorry.

Well you did say "programming". It's enjoyable. It's the trundling through API's and frameworks that's a huge PIA. Fixing other peoples' badly written code is hard yakka.

I don't think that you can succeed in a business that involves lots a programming without enjoying it.

nothing in and of itself is enjoyable to me.

i can have lots of fun programming, and also absolutely no fun. it depends on what i'm doing and why. same thing with reading. same thing with sports. same thing with anything.

edit: also, zombie thread http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=515463

edit2: beatten by amichail

Both for me, I dont enjoy coding for the sake of coding, I enjoy the process of creation.

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