>Hi Randall,
>
>I'm sure Jim Nelson will jump into this thread with the opinion opposite of mine.
>
>I can just tell about myself.
>
>When I'm reading someone's code and I see a way to improve it even in the little thing
>like llVar = iif(empty(anothervar),.t.,.f.) I always have an urge to fix it. I can not
>just passively read the code, I need to feel it.

Same here, Naomi. Without doubt, programming is _definately_ an art form.
As a matter of fact, the University of Waterloo did a study around 20-30
years ago (or so) and found out that great programmers had a few things
in common:

* Good language and communication skills and...
* Musical talent, which also relates to logic and math.

Go figure :^)

After a few geeks at Sun Microsystems found this out, they decided to
apply the knowledge learned and would "hire a programmer on the spot"
if they could show that they could play an instrument.(This was in the
early-to-mid 80's or so.) Personally, I'd add a few more tests:

* Can you do the "Vulcan hand gesture" with both hands?
* Name the best Doctor on the BBC's Dr. Who series.
* Then I'd ask if they ever playedd AD&D or GURPS :^)

If they passed this somewhat American sub-test, I'd definately
mark him/her "Geek" and hire em' :^) I sometimes wonder if American
computer geeks totally fit the sterotype :^). Your mileage my
vary in other countries :^).


>Unfortunately, this got me into the trouble quite often. People even call me "pushy",
>though I don't think it's really is my nature.

How about: "My personality and overall attitude revolves around being technically
accurate and very analytical, especially when it comes to programming." I've known
quite a number of good hacks/geeks that fit this description :^). I've told the other
geeks here at work: "Feel free to fill my brain-storming programming ideas
with lead from a machine gun. I won't be insulted, and by the time we patch all
of the bullet holes, we'll come up with a solid design that should stand tall and
proud, with few disign flaws. Personally, I'm into good sequential-flow, logical,
terse code that hauls butt :^). If I can squeeze yet another cycle out of my
code -- kewlness! :^)



>I just like the efficient code.

Same here, Naomi. Also, I absolutely love assembly language. My
friends tell me I'm weird when I say that. LOL!

>I can take the critigue myself very easily and I always try to improve
>even the code which is already working, if I find a new and better way...

Yes!

>For the beginning I would advise you to just analyze the code and see, if you can
>understand its meaning.

This is exactly what we're doing...and commenting the code a bit more.


>Then think how would you solve the same problem and would your way be more efficient
>or not? You may try to run some tests, etc.

We think a lot alike, Naomi :^). This is the reason that I was asking
about the VFP profiler a while back...and then I realized that the
vast majority of all of our code is IO bound...

>I would suggest you to read Martin Saalas articles in UT Magazine about extreme
> programming....

Okey doke. I'll get the IT manager to order us a copy or two.


Seeya,

Randall