Re: Two persons per product"

From: "jt" <jt@ee.net>
> IOW, programmers are pricing themselves out of the market,
> IMV.  At some point, tools will replace a lot of programmers,
> for this reason.  Been going on for a long time now (Synon, Lansa,
> BCD, MRC, etc.) but the process is only gonna be speeded up
> unless programmers achieve greater levels of effectiveness.

Code generators are limited to a few common models (patterns).  It leads to
bloatware, a multitude of executable objects that do little more than
implement a common pattern.  The data they interface with may be different,
but the process is the same.

If a programmer is paid to implement patterns redundantly (like a code
generator), then you're better off using a code generator.  Better yet, in
my opinion is to use a utility, and avoid the bloatware.  For example,
rather than use a code generator to create database inquiry and maintenance
programs, use a utility like WRKDBF.  Let the programmer do more creative
work.

Some of the tools you mention, of course are more than code generators.
They include their own programming languages, which makes them extensible.
The cost of these proprietary languages is relatively high.  The performance
of the executables is relatively poor.  Programmer productivity is about the
same.

Nathan M. Andelin
www.relational-data.com