Nothing satisfies quite like a good analogy
I love it when I come up with a good analogy...
My boss asked for "some sentences" explaining why we need to write a reference guide to expound upon a "BNF" formulation of the syntax (grammar) for a programming language.
For non-code-monkeys, BNF is a cryptical but reasonably precise way to describe the grammatical rules of a programming language. It's a "context-free grammar." Something like verb tables in French.
She wants to be able to communicate why that isn't enough for programmers to, well, write programs.
So here's the analogy I finally came up with: you could study a French grammar book and probably write a grammatically correct sentence or two, but you could never have a meaningful conversation or express a point of view in French without more education than grammar. You need meaning, context, subtle connotations (if I say this, it implies that ...)
And so with programming.
If the powers-that-be get it, I'll have 'secured' my job for a few more years. ;-p
Non-work news:
My knitting project (Notre Dame sweater) is off to a slow, good start. I made a swatch using Patton's Chunky Shetland yarn, Russet I think is the name of the color, this weekend. This is the third swatch I've tried -- and I like it. I'm glad that I can keep working on this project. I had promised myself I'd pick up something new, a small creative work of some sort, after Eldest Child moved out. I am truly glad she's moving on with her life, I don't wish to relive her childhood, but I do feel odd, as if I have just closed the cover on a book whose ending didn't satisfy me at all. Not that I'm writing the story, or really even have a vote in how it goes. Odd.
My WoW toon dinged 60, and went to the Outlands and got 'cool new stuff' this weekend. MORE fun was that my partner and her sister were my partners in crime. Very cool!
The diet goes fine, although I've plateued (sp?!?) some; the exercise plan isn't so healthy (sidelined with hospital visit last weekend; just getting back into it again.)
I started painting this weekend, part of the basement remodeling project. I like painting, much better than cleaning the refrigerator which was what I'd planned to do this weekend. See, one can feel still virtuous if one substitutes a more enjoyable, necessary task, for a less enjoyable one. My goal is to feel virtuous every weekend.
So it's back to work for me now. New analogies. New frontiers. Ok, maybe just some new words on the page today.
My boss asked for "some sentences" explaining why we need to write a reference guide to expound upon a "BNF" formulation of the syntax (grammar) for a programming language.
For non-code-monkeys, BNF is a cryptical but reasonably precise way to describe the grammatical rules of a programming language. It's a "context-free grammar." Something like verb tables in French.
She wants to be able to communicate why that isn't enough for programmers to, well, write programs.
So here's the analogy I finally came up with: you could study a French grammar book and probably write a grammatically correct sentence or two, but you could never have a meaningful conversation or express a point of view in French without more education than grammar. You need meaning, context, subtle connotations (if I say this, it implies that ...)
And so with programming.
If the powers-that-be get it, I'll have 'secured' my job for a few more years. ;-p
Non-work news:
My knitting project (Notre Dame sweater) is off to a slow, good start. I made a swatch using Patton's Chunky Shetland yarn, Russet I think is the name of the color, this weekend. This is the third swatch I've tried -- and I like it. I'm glad that I can keep working on this project. I had promised myself I'd pick up something new, a small creative work of some sort, after Eldest Child moved out. I am truly glad she's moving on with her life, I don't wish to relive her childhood, but I do feel odd, as if I have just closed the cover on a book whose ending didn't satisfy me at all. Not that I'm writing the story, or really even have a vote in how it goes. Odd.
My WoW toon dinged 60, and went to the Outlands and got 'cool new stuff' this weekend. MORE fun was that my partner and her sister were my partners in crime. Very cool!
The diet goes fine, although I've plateued (sp?!?) some; the exercise plan isn't so healthy (sidelined with hospital visit last weekend; just getting back into it again.)
I started painting this weekend, part of the basement remodeling project. I like painting, much better than cleaning the refrigerator which was what I'd planned to do this weekend. See, one can feel still virtuous if one substitutes a more enjoyable, necessary task, for a less enjoyable one. My goal is to feel virtuous every weekend.
So it's back to work for me now. New analogies. New frontiers. Ok, maybe just some new words on the page today.