The best part of programming is…

Code Wizard

Unquestionably, the best part of a long, arduous process of implementing a complex algorithm is when the code finally compiles, runs and gives you correct results. Conversely, the worst parts are when the code compiles correctly, and runs without errors, but it is not doing what it is supposed to do. There is just nothing more frustrating than spending hours searching for some minuscule logical error in your code that is throwing off your results. But then again, very few things give you as much satisfaction as finally tracking down the stupid bug and finally seeing everything coming together.

All of a sudden, all the frustration, and pent up anger disappear. The countless wasted hours seem worth it, and completely justifiable. That instant gratification of successfully solving a difficult problem is the sort of a rush that keeps us going. The more complex the algorithm, the more frustrating bugs we introduce along the way, the more satisfying it is to see it finally work for the first time. Those little moments when we clap our hands in joy, and do a little happy dance around the desk are the reason why coding is fun.

Programming is in many ways a process of pure creation. It is making a working logical construct out of abstract ideas and concepts. It is creating something tangible out of nothing. It probably as close to magic as we could ever get.

A corollary to Clarke’s Third Law, is that programmers, computer scientists and engineers are sort of the modern day wizards. We are the people who possess the arcane lore that continues to be inaccessible to the unwashed masses of idiots out there – not because we deny them access, but because understanding it requires some efforts, and abstract thinking skills.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I finally got the Hyperspectral Image feature extraction via Projected Gradient NMF algorithm implementation working yesterday! Wohoo!

[tags]programming, coding, wizard, clarke’s third law, magic[/tags]

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