simonewebdesign

A Programming Love Letter

Think a little about why you enjoy what you enjoy.

Why do you code? What do you like about it? I’ve been asking myself these questions, but I haven’t quite found the answer yet. Maybe there’s no single answer, after all. For me, it’s an ensemble; there’s a whole range of reasons that make programming so enticing to me. For example, I feel like…

  • Programming is like writing a poem. A beautiful set of words that fit well together; ideally short & sweet. Finding the right balance is tricky, but very rewarding once you do.

  • Programming is like solving a puzzle. Each piece has its own place, and the satisfaction of fitting them all together can be immensely gratifying. The most experienced developers realise there’s often a plethora of solutions to the same problem, and finding that perfect fit can be just as rewarding as solving a tricky challenge.

  • Programming is like painting. Paul Graham wrote a whole essay about it. Hackers and Painters have so much in common, indeed. They’re both makers; they want to make their masterpiece, and every little detail matters just as much as the big picture.

  • Programming is like an indoor plant. You nurture it, cut here and there from time to time. Refactoring code is a bit like caring for a bonsai tree: the branches you cut might grow back stronger.

  • Programming is like building an airplane. It has to be lean and fast, so the less it carries, the better. Less is more; you know it’s ready to fly when you removed as much as you could, and there’s nothing else to add.

  • Programming is a fun activity. I love spending hours every day thinking about solutions to problems—sometimes my own, sometimes other people’s—I just find it fun and exciting. Being able to create something from a blank slate, is what inspires me the most.

Ultimately, coding is much more than a technical skill; it’s a way of thinking that can permeate through every aspect of your life.

What inspires you to code?

View this page on GitHub