Re: Which language pays most -- C++ vs. Java?

[bill@cafe.net (Kaz Kylheku)]

In article <34B71B71.1EFDCAD8@ix.netcom.com>,
Highlander Consulting  <highcon@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>Dan wrote:
>
>> > Words of caution
>> > - you will never be respected (and rightly so)
>> > - it doesn't pay much (because you'll be competing with people with no
>> > degrees and non-Computer Science degrees who are self taught, and the
>> people
>> > doing the hiring don't value the process of software engineering).
>
>I have no love of VB, but I have to respond to the idea that people who are
>self-taught aren't that great.  I have a PhD......in analytical chemistry.
>However, somehow, I was able to fool that tiny little company--Boeing--into
>offering me a job in software development.  Can you tell me why-when I don't
>have a CS degree-that I was offered a job??  I have to say that, although I

I have no clue why you were offered that job, but it probably had to do with
experience other than in analytical chemistry.  I can't imagine anyone getting
a Ph. D. in such a discipline without exposure to computers. At my Alma
Mater, the chemistry department are among the biggest UNIX weenies on
campus with the most powerful machines. :) Admit it; you were a hacker
in your undergraduate days and beyond. :)

>think that taking classes about data structures, databases, and many other
>programming paradigms, I don't think that a degree in CS is that necessary to
>make a good programmer.  The ability to analyze a problem, break it down into
>its component parts, and address each small problem separately to acheive a
>common goal is more important than learning a particular language.  Sure,

But these skills don't make you a good programmer. Or are you saying that
the programmers who created the software crisis of the 60's weren't able
to analyze a problem and break it down into its component parts?

Would you automatically recommend an randomly chosen chemistry Ph. D. for
a software development position?

>learning C or C++ is very helpful, but displaying the ability to learn *any*
>language to solve any problem is the thing that makes companies want to hire
>you.  A degree is important, but only to display one's ability to learn and be
>motivated.  Trust me, I landed a job with a chemistry degree.  I think that
>the level of my degree--not the subject--made the difference.  I have proven
>my aptitude for problem solving.  Programming is only a translation step after
>that.

Umm. I have seen lamentable code written by people with science Ph. D's.
Horribly broken, poorly designed, unmaintainable. Nevertheless, from the code
it was apparent that the programmer had a remarkable ability to solve a
problem by breaking it into smaller problems, and a great deal of potential.
Just no software experience. 

Either Boeing just took an obtuse chance on you, or you are simply not
revealing the whole picture.  There is more to your background than just the
three letters P, H and D---I simply don't believe your insinuation that anyone
with a chemistry Ph. D. can land a challenging software development job,
and immediately perform in that job as well.

Would a small company have taken a similar chance? A small company needs
someone who can produce quality software pretty much from day one; they can't
afford to hire an academic wizard and then send him or her on a six month
training course, _even if_ that person has the intellectual capacity to
master the equivalent of a four year CS curriculum in that six months.