"Good" Programming

["Mike Naughton" <mnaughton@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

RPG400-L@midrange.com writes:
>Standards do not readable code make either. No, the only thing that
>makes readable code is a good programmer making good choices.

I agree, but this raises an interesting question (to me, anyway!). Does
this mean, in the end, that no set of rules ("never use GO TOs", "always
indent IF loops", "use these standards") will by themselves ensure "good"
programming (i.e. readable, easily maintainable code)? If so, does this
imply that "good" programming is an art, not a science, and there are no
such things as "software engineers" -- only "software artists"? Sometimes
when I've been deep in the middle of a project, I've found myself thinking
of the code as having a sort of shape, and my job is to make that shape as
efficient (and "elegant") as possible -- it becomes, in some sense a
"sculpture in logic".

Different languages lend themselves more easily to certain shapes,
although there are basic constructions which are found in many
environments. . . .

Just a thought -- hope this isn't too far off-topic!

Mike Naughton
Senior Programmer/Analyst
Judd Wire, Inc.
124 Turnpike Road
Turners Falls, MA  01376
413-863-4357 x444
mnaughton@juddwire.com


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