Alan2005

Really? - the where ever I've worked includes the developers, programmers, software engineers (whatever you want to call them) sat a few cubicles down from me in the office.

zednought

Would I be right in assuming by this comment that you fell short of the standard?

dbd33

Yes. If it's an expression in common use that's passed me by. Still, I'm unexcited by what people call themselves, he can be a "Systems Architect" or "PC Doctor" without me thinking he's an actual architect or doctor anymore than I'd think he's an actual engineer.

Alan2005

Well quite.

Alan2005

If I did programming I would be shit hot at it; it looks easy to the point of trivial. Something that all the good developers I've known will openly admit.

bodgerx

If they are good developers they may find it easy.

DIY, driving a car, brain surgery etc. may be found easy to those with years of practice.

Today I was struggling with a .Net wcf web service that leverages reflection - why did I bother when I could ask you?

Alan2005

You see, you make it hard by using complicated jargon. You can wrap up 'sending a message over a network' in fancy language if you like, but that doesn't make it rocket science or brain surgery - things that take real skill. Unlike writing software which anyone can do at all with some basic instruction. actually your driving a car analogy is a good one - anyone can do that.

bodgerx

Yes, the end result may well be sending a message.

But, I'm being asked to send this message with these given techologies - the language being a fancy one, as you put it, is not my issue - its my given toolset. With a bit 'basic instruction' and little or no experience I'd wager that you are unlikely to be able to do it within a reasonable time frame.

I'm not saying you'd never do it - I'm sure plenty of people with the right training and solid experience could do it.

Have you seen a tutorial on wcf or .net reflection?

Part of the job of the developer is to consistanly keep up with these 'fancy' languages. this has been the case throughout the last 10 years for me. Not a lot of choice really.

Its interesting rhat you should say this - when I was at uni 10 years ago doing a computing science degree many students dropped out based on the difficulty of the programming units. Others actively avoided choosing these units because of their difficulty.

If you think it is so easy you should do a spot of contracting on the side - maybe on your lunch breaks or something - you could make some decent cash.

Alan2005

I would, except I have an aversion to work however easy it may be. I doubt that software contracting pays that well in Vancouver anyways.

acer rose

Quite right too, if they happen to be mathematicians. Trivial = problem can be solved, i.e. the question of Fermat's Last Theorum was trivial.

To OP
I work in software. I have been programming for nearly 30 years, 20 years of that professionally. I can build a "computer" from scratch (including design and manufacture of simple circuit boards). I have designed and developed my own software for equipment from 4-bit microclusters to Crays. I have created GUIs for users to run unique electronic instruments. I have produced software to create multi-point 3-dimensional models on the fly in the field for commercial instruments. I am not an "engineer". My current job title is senior physicist. It took nearly three years in Vancouver to get a local job. During that time most of my work came from Europe and the US. I hear Toronto is better.

rubberduckofdeath

And I suppose if you were a golfer, you'd be hitting holes in one, week in, week out? I mean, it's just a ball and a hole, right?

dbd33

This morning I passed an optometrist's shop. "If I did optometry I would be shit hot at it; it looks easy to the point of trivial" I thought to myself. I wondered why I'm not an optometrist and then I thought "but if I did move stardom I would be shit hot at it; it looks easy to the point of trivial. And there's more money in it". I decided that the thing I could do and would if it wasn't so important to Canada that I carry on with the job I have now, is to be the new Judy Garland.

rubberduckofdeath

Sounds ... awesome

Alan2005

Oh, I couldn't play golf well. That requires actual talent and skill - unlike software development which monkeys could do.

rubberduckofdeath

Oh well, at least you're good at trolling