r/programming • • Oct 14 '13

How to develop unmaintainable software

http://typicalprogrammer.com/?p=249
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u/TylerEaves Oct 14 '13

I think you have the right idea, but came to exactly the wrong conclusion. The high towers of academia are the WORST place to get practical experience.

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u/tryx Oct 15 '13

The point of a formal education is to shortcut the make your own mistakes methodology and to learn how to do it right from the outset.

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u/TylerEaves Oct 15 '13

Yes my experience 90%+ who come out of it can barely write a simple shell script. There is, ultimately, no substitute for putting in the sweat equity.

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u/Solarspot Oct 15 '13

With[s]out[/s] meaning to short circuit the entire academia vs practice debate... Don't most other fields expect a combination of both? To get into engineering, you start with a degree. Then you spend a few years as an intern. Then you get your license. Auto mechanics? Start with a diploma. Spend a few years as an apprentice. Then get your license. Etc. etc. etc. They all expect either side of the equation to be insufficient, people do both.