From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-1.3 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00,INVALID_MSGID autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 1014db,1042f393323e22da X-Google-Attributes: gid1014db,public X-Google-Thread: 109fba,1042f393323e22da X-Google-Attributes: gid109fba,public X-Google-Thread: 103376,1042f393323e22da X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public From: "Nick Roberts" Subject: Re: Software Engineering and Dreamers Date: 1997/05/22 Message-ID: <01bc66fa$ee7910e0$LocalHost@xhv46.dial.pipex.com>#1/1 X-Deja-AN: 243166454 References: <5lsjb3$bqc@bcrkh13.bnr.ca> Organization: UUNet PIPEX server (post doesn't reflect views of UUNet PIPEX) Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++,comp.lang.c,comp.lang.ada Date: 1997-05-22T00:00:00+00:00 List-Id: Robert I. Eachus wrote in article an excellent example of the necessity for realism in software engineering. This sense of realism is excellent, and is frequently the one thing that makes the difference between a project that succeeds, and one which fails. And let's face it, the software industry has had its fair share of failed projects, has it not? However, I would argue that there is sometimes a flip side to this realism, in the engineering sciences in general, and computer science in particular. All (or almost all) the really great leaps forward in computer technology have come not from great, expensive, laboratories, engaged in highly directed (commercially orientated) research, but instead from a motley collection of scatter-brained individuals who had _imagination_. These 'dreamers' may never have been practical or realistic. But they invented the science. If someone says "what if...?", it is fine to say "nice idea, but not today", but at the same we should not get into the habit of 'stepping on' those who suggest ideas. I don't suppose Robert was trying to give this impression at all, but I hope nobody wrongly gets this impression. We need our dreamers. Nick. (PS: I get a bit poetic this time of night)