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I have been a long time reader of Dr. Heinz M. Kabutz's Java Specialists' Newsletter. His latest installment is titled Java Programmers aren't born.

In this piece, Dr. Kabutz explains what it takes to become a great programmer. On one side of the scale is aptitude and formal education, while dedication to this craft is on the other side. These ingredients are the main contributors to your makeup as a programmer.

First, Dr. Kabutz points out that the type of people that have the greatest potential to become great programmers are those that have strengths in "thinking subjects" like math and science. He also states that an undergraduate degree in Computer Science is the bare minimum formal education and encourages a Masters degree as well. While I agree that my computer science degree helped prepare me to enter the workforce, I have also worked with people that did not study computer science or engineering and were still competent programmers. What I'm getting at is that this line is not black or white.

The second of the critical attributes is more controllable by the individual. It has more to do with the amount of effort put forth and excitement about this field of study. Great programmers have a love for the craft outside of working hours. Wait, in my opinion even decent programmers have this. Programming is difficult and to do it in a maintainable fashion takes an endless pursuit of knowledge. As we develop new ways of solving complex problems(procedural, object oriented, aspect oriented), the problems get infinitely more difficult. Sometimes I wonder if we will ever catch up. In other words, if you treat programming as a 9 to 5 job, it is highly unlikely maybe impossible, that you will ever be great. Out of all the statements made in this article, this is the one I agree with the most. Having crossed paths with many great programmers throughout my career, this is one thing they all have in common.

Anyway, this article is a good read for individuals doing software development. You can sign up for Dr. Kabutz's newsletter here.