I'm an engineer. Well, to be more accurate, I have a degree in engineering from Trinity College, Dublin. While the work I do is pretty technical, I'm not really writing any code (HTML does not count).
The reason why I'm mentioning my engineering degree is that it's a broad rather than deep course. All of the first and second years are common to all students - no electives. So I was exposed to a wide range of engineering subjects - mechanical, environmental, civil, computing, as well as a lot of math (so much math that I also have a degree in math as well).
There was nothing in this broad technical education that led me to believe that I was an technical artist or a craftsman. Yet many software engineers believe they are craftsmen.
So where does this come from?
At college, I remember the structural engineers used to joke about the architects drawing pretty pictures while they actually designed the real structure. I remember a discussion between mechanical engineers wondering why Waterford Crystal hand cut its crystal when lasers could do a faster, better job.
The computer engineers were no different. About three quarters of their course was the same as the rest of the engineers.
So why do so many computer engineers and computer scientist suddenly forget everything they have learned about taking a rational, scientific approach to problem solving when the start their professional life?
Setting up a Java Software Factory by a computer engineer should be no different than a mechnical engineer setting up a car factory.
The good news is that Java Software Factories offers a way to channel the creative energies of software engineers.
PJ Murray
CodeFutures Software
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