Recently I discovered in a catalog a gift set consisting of the nautical instruments spyglass, compass and magnifying glass.
I immediately thought that it would be a brilliant gift for any programmer and I would like to explain in this article why I think so.
Technicians like me usually have their own (very often single minded) approach to programming.
And I think this set shows great symbolism for programming as it should be.
So I would understand the magnifying glass as a hint to take a close look at the task, before taking a solution path. It also stands for the precision or care with which one should test the program routines – I tend to operate my programs as they are meant to be operated, because I know the routine and know how to get to the goal.
The later user does not have this knowledge and may try a completely different way. The more precisely one has tested all possibilities, the better a user is guided and the less operating errors cause damage that must be repaired. The more precisely the programmer understands the problem and enables intuitive operation for the user, the better the acceptance of a new program will be. And acceptance and intuitive operation are important key conditions for successful software.
The compass, in my analogy, symbolizes the importance of directed programming and the determination to meet a publication deadline. As an essential point in each programming I see the user guidance, it should be determined before the first program line and even if the deadline pressure increases at the end of a project always be decisive. This gives the direction of the programming. If this goes wrong, you don’t need to worry about the rest, believe me. It is also important to find the point at which the desired goal is reached, maybe not 100% but close enough that a version of the software can and should be delivered. Programmers sometimes get lost in details and it becomes difficult to find a conclusion. Most of the time it helps to take a step back and look around to find the right direction again – this part is one of the most difficult things in programming.
Lastly, I would like to explain the smbolik of the spyglass. For me, it stands for the view beyond the horizon. Whenever you get a new task as a programmer, you should ask yourself: What is the best tool to solve this problem? Filemaker fortunately offers a good selection of possibilities. You can write custom functions or install plugins. With Webviews and calling Filemaker scripts with parameters, an incredible variety of Java Script or jQuery plugins opens up that allow such things as drag & drop or flexible display of data. There are a lot of clever ideas on the internet how things can be solved differently. And the feeling of giving a user a tool that is actually not possible in Filemaker is just great.
I think that even after so many years as a Filemaker programmer I don’t take all these hints into account myself but I find it the most difficult part to keep track of the compass at all times.