“Write” is the verb we use with programming. We write software. We write codes. Of course, we use other verbs too. We also build and design software. But write is the one we use most frequently. Is there some kind of philosophical meaning behind this usage? I doubt it. But as someone who has passion for both writing and coding, I see some interesting similarities between these two activities that are usually considered to be diametrically opposite. Dijkstra will probably want to strangle me for making such a metaphor, but I think this juxtaposition could be especially helpful to those who are coming into software development without traditional computer science background.

Are you currently majoring in computer science, or planning to do so? What do you hope to learn from the curriculum? If your answer is something in line with “writing a useful software” or “getting a job as a software developer,” this post is for you. I want you to not experience the same misunderstanding and frustration I had with university CS program.