One area of conversation that tends to come about in software engineering is the degree to which one takes their code personally. Litmus test: that shiny gem you wrote was code reviewed and recommendations are made to make some changes. Do you:
I have for years stated it wasn't the physical lines of code I laid down, but the byproduct of what I learned that is the real personal reward. I've written apps over the years that for one reason or another didn't make it to prod or where short lived. However the experienced gained from what I did was what kept moving me forward.
For example - "Hey Allen, you aren't upset that app you worked on got scrapped because the business did a 180?" Me: "Nope. Because now I know a ton about x, y, and z and am a better developer for it."
I actually had a (technical) debate/argument about this topic with an industry peer within the last few years. I stated I don't take my code too personally and the experience gained was paramount (after all that continued experience helps me move on and do bigger and better things). Sure I absolutely want what I create to succeed, but if it gets thrown out, rewritten, refactored, or the like I will not loose any sleep at night. I will however if it presents itself take note and learn from it to grow. This person couldn't understand why I wouldn't take great pride in what I did and die by the sword if need be for the lines of code I write and that those that took their code personally were more along the lines of what they thought were 'great programmers'. Problem with this is you so much as critique the architecture/design of ones code with this so called 'passion' and get ready... it's like you just told them they have a 3rd eye or something.
Do not confuse taking your code personally with instilling quality in an application. These are separate and one does not depend on the other. If the code you are responsible for is used on an aircraft and in charge of avionics - sure you absolutely care about that code and it's quality. However, the aircraft dev guru that told you your C++ methodologies were outdated and we are programming for Boeing not Pan Am in the 70's - you need not again take this personally. If you care about your craft you will truly try to grow from others suggestions and wisdom, learn from your experiences, and continue to move forward.
Next and also important, do not confuse taking your code personally and having passion for your craft as a software engineer. Again these are not intersecting lines. I have a major passion for my career and craft as a software engineer. It's what keeps me on the computer late at night learning new technologies, preparing for presentations, and blogging. This has nothing to do with taking personally the code I write. Taken from "the grumpy programmer" and said best by someone with uber experience, "Don't fall in love with your code."
Before posting this I read over what I wrote a few times because I don't want it coming across as I don't care - because I absolutely do; ask those I work with and they should concur. However, I don't let that VB6 app I wrote 12 years ago and put my blood, sweat, and tears into and the fact that it's no longer used bother me one bit. However, the knowledge I gained at that time helped get me to where I am today.
So the answer to the title - 'no', do not take your code personally. Odds are the lines of code you write today will not be around in 10 years. Instead try to find great joy in the experience you gain from what you do because you can take that with you from project to project and it will certainly be around for many, many years to come.
- turn red, tell the reviewer how idiotic they are, storm away, and start looking secretly for a new job?
- listen to what the other party has to say and make sense of it as a learning experience?
I have for years stated it wasn't the physical lines of code I laid down, but the byproduct of what I learned that is the real personal reward. I've written apps over the years that for one reason or another didn't make it to prod or where short lived. However the experienced gained from what I did was what kept moving me forward.
For example - "Hey Allen, you aren't upset that app you worked on got scrapped because the business did a 180?" Me: "Nope. Because now I know a ton about x, y, and z and am a better developer for it."
I actually had a (technical) debate/argument about this topic with an industry peer within the last few years. I stated I don't take my code too personally and the experience gained was paramount (after all that continued experience helps me move on and do bigger and better things). Sure I absolutely want what I create to succeed, but if it gets thrown out, rewritten, refactored, or the like I will not loose any sleep at night. I will however if it presents itself take note and learn from it to grow. This person couldn't understand why I wouldn't take great pride in what I did and die by the sword if need be for the lines of code I write and that those that took their code personally were more along the lines of what they thought were 'great programmers'. Problem with this is you so much as critique the architecture/design of ones code with this so called 'passion' and get ready... it's like you just told them they have a 3rd eye or something.
Do not confuse taking your code personally with instilling quality in an application. These are separate and one does not depend on the other. If the code you are responsible for is used on an aircraft and in charge of avionics - sure you absolutely care about that code and it's quality. However, the aircraft dev guru that told you your C++ methodologies were outdated and we are programming for Boeing not Pan Am in the 70's - you need not again take this personally. If you care about your craft you will truly try to grow from others suggestions and wisdom, learn from your experiences, and continue to move forward.
Next and also important, do not confuse taking your code personally and having passion for your craft as a software engineer. Again these are not intersecting lines. I have a major passion for my career and craft as a software engineer. It's what keeps me on the computer late at night learning new technologies, preparing for presentations, and blogging. This has nothing to do with taking personally the code I write. Taken from "the grumpy programmer" and said best by someone with uber experience, "Don't fall in love with your code."
Before posting this I read over what I wrote a few times because I don't want it coming across as I don't care - because I absolutely do; ask those I work with and they should concur. However, I don't let that VB6 app I wrote 12 years ago and put my blood, sweat, and tears into and the fact that it's no longer used bother me one bit. However, the knowledge I gained at that time helped get me to where I am today.
So the answer to the title - 'no', do not take your code personally. Odds are the lines of code you write today will not be around in 10 years. Instead try to find great joy in the experience you gain from what you do because you can take that with you from project to project and it will certainly be around for many, many years to come.