Why I Love Programming
Software development, in a nutshell, is a disciplined approach to creating software to meet a need. It involves many activities including design, testing, QA, project management and more. This is what I do professionally and can honestly say I enjoy it.
Programming, on the other hand, is raw slinging of code. It is writing code to make your computer do something; anything. Sure, software development involves a good deal of actual programming but I think you need to distinguish the two.
One thing I know for sure about about programming itself is that I love it! Here is why why:
- You get to create stuff. When I was a kid I used to daydream about inventing things. When I program something, I am creating something that didn’t exist before.
- It is challenging. Being faced with different problems to solve causes my mind to be actively engaged.
- It is powerful. I can do things with software that are virtually impossible without it. Knowing how to leverage technology can open the door to new possibilities.
- It is fun! I know it may sound crazy to normal people, but when I program I am having fun (most of the time at least). No, really, fun like the fun I had as a kid going to the water park in the summertime or playing football with the guys in the neighborhood.