接著“中年IT人的困惑”討論。

網友“苦瓜”說：
“第一點：文科生編程。樓主的感覺有些委屈，也有些底氣不足，好像不夠科班，先天不足。其實這是錯誤的說法。年初讀過一篇文章，說的就是文科生編程的優勢。編程實際上是個表達溝通的活兒，特別是高級語言的編程，沒有深厚的文字交流水平，很難勝任。寫文章的人說，見過的優秀編程人員都是英文專業畢業的，寫文章這人是個美國人，若是咱中國人，結論恐怕就是最優秀的編程人員都是中文專業的了。這話相當有道理。功夫在程序外。樓主的中英文文字表達都相當出色，估計這也是多年來公司一再裁人，樓主穩坐編程位置的原因。往前看，您比我們都有優勢，這行業隻要還存在，您就是最優秀的那一類。別看其他人抖機靈，程序也是日久見功夫。您就安心往前走吧。

第二點：印度兄弟跟我們一樣來自泱泱大國，都是有特殊基因的個體，剝削人的時候自己都沒感覺，還以為是拉兄弟一把呢。自己千萬保護自己，他不知道心疼你，你自己得知道。該反就反，誰怕誰。當年俺們那印度老板ceo，嘮嘮叨叨跟俺談話，說些俺不加班之類的鬼話，俺也就站起來衝他拍了幾下桌子走人了。那是經濟蕭條的02年，他以為自己是上帝呢，給人提供了生存的機會。而且，隻要有人帶頭走，這傳染病就算發作了。俺走之後，公司接二連三走了好多人。咱背井離鄉的來的是美國，不是去台北、奔孟買，要用美國的生活標準要求自己。咱不慣他那毛病。”

俺特同意苦瓜MM的第二點，可是不同意她的第一點。下麵是我的觀點：

I think people differ from their abilities most not by training but by genetic. Engineering and computer programming require clear logical thinking and analytical skills while literature does more on creative thinking side. That doesn't say a person of English major can not have clear logical sense.

The article below only prove a person with clear logical thinking and know how to communicate well could be good software programmers regardless one's training.

In ideal cases, people choose their major because they like it or have passion about it. In not so perfect cases people choose a major as a way of earning a living. 樓主 mentioned that he doesn't not like or enjoy programming. That makes him for ever a ok computer programmer even he has master degree on CS.

I do agree that 樓主 made a good choice to stay in his current field as all he wants is a relatively easy job with good pay. What could be better than staying with a well paid job you already know how to do it, regardless you like it or not!

BTW, another good job would be a tech writer that requires good writing (communication) skill and some technical knowlegde.

並附那美國人的文章：

English as a First Language
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I've found that some of the best developers of all are English majors. They'll often graduate with no programming experience at all, and certainly without a clue about the difference between DRAM and EPROM.

But they can write. That's the art of conveying information concisely and clearly. Software development and writing are both the art of knowing what you're going to do, and then lucidly expressing your ideas.

The worst developers, regardless of background, fail due to their inability to be clear. Their thoughts and code tend to ramble rather than zero-in on the goal.

It's easier to train someone in a new language than to teach them to think clearly. C really isn't that hard to learn; it has but a handful of constructs. Most folks can learn the fundamentals quickly.
Debugging takes longer, but all new programmers find themselves at sea when first faced with bugs.

Too many engineering-trained developers have a total disregard for stylistic issues in programming. Anything goes. Firmware is the most expensive thing in the universe, so it makes sense to craft it carefully and in accordance with a standard style guide. Make sure it clearly communicates its intent. This is where the English majors shine; they've spent 4 years learning everything there is to know about styles and communication.

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