📝Programming used to be perceived as a second-class intellectual activity

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§ Software Development

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The Death of Code as Craft, The Humble Programmer

Initially, programming used to be perceived as a second-class intellectual activity.

First computers were all unique, single-copy machines, with a limited lifetime. Programs would not outlive these machines. Programmers also felt indebted for their job to these grand machines.

the programmer himself had a very modest view of his own work: his work derived all its significance from the existence of that wonderful machine. Because that was a unique machine, he knew only too well that his programs had only local significance and also, because it was patently obvious that this machine would have a limited lifetime, he knew that very little of his work would have a lasting value.

—Dijkstra₁₉₇₂

Programming was perceived as a tedious and boring work.

See also

• Software is not additive. Software deteriorates over time and ideas in it are usually lost.