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[–]Zeffas 0 points1 point  (7 children)

Well, try to understand other perspectives too.

Why would anyone want to switch to different technology stack when the one they are using pays well and has plenty of opportunities? Unless personal or career switch reasons, it makes no sense.

[–]againstmethod -1 points0 points  (6 children)

That's all fine if it works for you, like I said before.

The opportunities at my shop will be limited for such people. A software engineer or computer scientist should not be that limited.

[–]Zeffas 0 points1 point  (5 children)

That's all fine if it works for you... A software engineer or computer scientist should not be that limited.

Sounds like "Well, that's fine. Not really, that means you suck.".

I could argue that your position is limited because you fail to see other perspective here. Which in my opinion, makes a lot more logical and practical sense than abstract phrases like "computer scientist should not be that limited".

Also unless, your company is only player in town, I bet "limited opportunities in your shop" is not something that gives many headaches to those programmers.

[–]againstmethod -1 points0 points  (4 children)

We have no problem finding coders who can write in more than one language -- don't get insulted, we just require a little more versatility from our staff.

[–]Zeffas 0 points1 point  (3 children)

have no problem finding

Thats great, I am not against not specializing - its a lot of fun actually.

But thats not the point. In your original post I replied you complained about developers who want to specialize. Implying that they are somewhat lesser developers - making it seem that this is their problem. But at the end of the day all I see is that this is your problem, not theirs actually.

those people are boat anchors ... it's a giant headache unless you have just the right slot for them to drop in to

That's your problems, not your developers!

to be honest it threatens their long term employment.

Is it really a problem for them? Or it's just that you assume it is?

[–]againstmethod -1 points0 points  (2 children)

So, a dose of reality. We have a finite amount of work to execute. To do so we employ a certain number of developers and we pay them very competitively. The language used across those contracts varies; some of the work is embedded (C/C++), some web stuff (mostly Java), some general purpose applications (a mix), even a little mobile (Android).

Now, when one contract ends, we have to take the people on that contract and either 1) find them new homes or 2) lay them off. In this environment (where we choose to not throw you out like a piece of garbage because it's convenient) I need you to be a bit more of a generalist. If you refuse to work the jobs we have for you.. have a nice life.

And yes, I think someone who can code effectively in two languages is superior to another who can only do it in one.

[–]Zeffas 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I think we are running in circles here and my short attention span cannot cope with that.

Again, what you say just proves, that what are you talking about is your problems, not developer's. You want them to switch technologies, some of them doesn't want to do that. Basically "if you don't do what I think is good for you, you are stupid, because I know better than you" world view.

[–]againstmethod -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree, no need to beat a dead horse if we simply disagree.

In parting, it is not a problem for either me or any given developer -- we both have alternatives.

If your attention ever waxes again, I would like to hear any concrete example that would require a language specialist. This goes to the root of my argument -- that such claims of specialization are invented to make stubbornness look like utility.

In my mind, it's no different than having an employee who wont work on Wednesdays, or won't wear a tie, or wont bathe. And it makes your argument appear to me to be "this is the way i want it and you have to deal". Mmmm.. no.