Re: How do I write directly to a memory address?

[Simon Clubley <clubley@remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP>]

On 2011-02-08, Hyman Rosen <hyrosen@mail.com> wrote:
> On 2/8/2011 4:49 PM, Simon Clubley wrote:
>> In this world view, what happens when the programmer _does_ need to move
>> up from assembling prefabricated Lego bricks into a standard pattern (which
>> is what this position above amounts to) to actually having to design
>> a new structure because they have been given something unique to do ?
>
> I first point out that "assembling Lego bricks into a standard pattern"
> has been an explicit (but rarely met) goal of programming language design
> for decades. But if someone does need to design something new and cannot,
> they go and consult the old, wise programmer or the young, wise programmer
> who knows that kind of stuff. Eventually, they too may become wise.
>

And where do they find these people if organisations see no point in hiring
these types of people because said organisation believes it only needs
cheaper and lower skilled prefabricated assemblers ?

While there has indeed been a movement towards standard patterns, it was
still the case that traditionally, you still learnt about the underlying
computer science principles while going through higher education.

Now we have the situation that people are presenting for interview who do
not even understand bit manipulation/boolean algebra and in your scenario
you believe such skills are not needed.

In that environment, how do such people even understand what they are been
told even if they have someone in the organisation to explain it to them ?

This is the point I was trying to make. Traditionally you went through a
series of incremental steps in your professional development. Now, someone
who is used to just assembling prefabricated bricks may need to actually
design one of those bricks one day which is a sudden massive jump in what
is required of them in terms of understanding.

How can they do that if they do not have the background to understand the
issues involved and where do you find replacement people if they are not
even presenting themselves with the required skill set at interview ?

Simon.

-- 
Simon Clubley, clubley@remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP
Microsoft: Bringing you 1980s technology to a 21st century world