Consider the post regarding programmers/developers in mainframe shops that I
was posted yesterday, I thought I would toss this little gem I got on the
VSE-L to the HP3000-L. Enjoy
Max Slover
Computer Operator VSE/VM 2.3, HP-UX, NT, and formerly HP3000
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What are the top five most endangered developers?
Aug 17, 2001
Lamont Adams
Author's Bio | E-Mail
© 2001 TechRepublic, Inc.
The World Wildlife Fund maintains a list of the five most endangered
species on Earth. And at Developer Republic, we recently started wondering
what that list would look like if it listed developer "species" instead of
animals and plants.
The nature of our industry is changing, and certain classes of developers
are becoming rarer due to habitat destruction (lack of positions), low
reproductive rates (schools are no longer turning them out), and a variety
of other reasons. After giving the matter extensive, utterly serious
consideration, I've prepared my list.
1. Institutional Developer
This species of developer is characterized by its tendency to choose a
single home territory and inhabit it for a particularly long period of time.
Eventually, these developers become intimately familiar with the corporate
culture, business processes, strengths, and weaknesses of their territory.
This species has been hit very hard in recent times by a combination of
habitat destruction, trophy hunting, and competition by introduced species.
Hunters often take the strongest individuals with the most impressive skill
sets, often leaving the young without any guidance or protection.
The chief competing species, the Lesser Certificate Bearing Developer
(which many consider to be a pest species), competes for territory with the
Institutional Developer and has been able to displace it in many cases.
Unfortunately, Institutional Developers usually do not do well when removed
from their home territories: Their new surroundings are usually just too
different or modern for them. To date, no agency has come forward and
presented a plan to preserve this species, of which few are now left, so we
may soon lose this fascinating developer for good.
2. Assembler Programmer
The Assembler Programmer, along with its subspecies, the Macro-level CICS
Programmer, is known for the strange, yet elegant language it uses to
communicate with others of its species. Researchers believe that members of
this species are able to convey extremely large amounts of information using
a language that contains only a handful of syllables. Unfortunately, this
species has become extremely rare in the wild, often being replaced by C
Programmers, C++ Programmers, or, in rare instances, White-crested
UNIX-Shell Programmers. A precious few individuals have been taken from the
wild to be preserved in captivity and studied. No recovery program exists
yet for the Assembler Programmer.
3. dBase Developer
Once a thriving species, the dBase developer has been forced to the
brink of extinction by the slow loss of habitat and near eradication of its
primary food source, the DOS User. However, there may yet be hope for the
FoxPro Developer subspecies. The population of FoxPro Developers in the wild
remains strong, mostly due to a careful management program by
Microsoft?which is ironic, considering that Microsoft is held by many to be
the chief culprit in the DOS User's decline.
4. COBOL Programmer
It's sad that the COBOL Programmer, which was poised for such a fast
recovery only a few years ago, has to be added to this list once again.
Apparently, this species' low reproductive rate has been unable to keep the
population level. Prospects for the COBOL Programmer are further darkened by
Java pollution throughout much of its home range. Although there are many
individuals left in the wild, observers say that numbers have declined in
recent years, and there simply are not many youngsters to be found.
5. Nine-to-Five Developer
The rapid disappearance of the Nine-to-Five Developer, known for its
rambunctious play when not hunting, its good qualities as a mate, and its
inclination to be a nurturing parent, is a mystery. Few individuals are seen
in the species' home range. Researchers are investigating the cause for the
Nine-to-Five Developer's sudden decline and feel that some environmental
change may be responsible.
Do your part
Don't let other endangered developer species go into quiet decline.
E-mail us or post a comment below with your addition to the list or
share your thoughts about those already on the list. By heightening
awareness, you may help others appreciate these rare and
interesting species.
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