A soulmate? <g>

>>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