PROGRAMMERS...a little shop talk, if you will...

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  • 2HousePlague
    CURATOR
    • Jul 2004
    • 14572

    #1

    PROGRAMMERS...a little shop talk, if you will...

    Do you work best with a tight spec? By that I mean, the *method* of the function is described.

    Or do you like it better when just the end result is specified (input > your contribution > output)?
    tada!
  • Ice
    Confirmed User
    • Nov 2002
    • 26053

    #2
    tight spec.... because the end result will be defined by it
    icq 1904905

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    • skinnay
      Confirmed User
      • Apr 2004
      • 2274

      #3
      as long as i can be covered in peanut butter while i masturbate at my keyboard it doesnt matter to me. more specifications are always better as long as they're done right. if not its probably better to let a programmer do what he wants
      Make Real Green with ORGANIC SEO | Blog post exchange | Non-index page trades | A-B C-D Trades [icq: 194-215-962] [mail: [email protected]]

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      • Linguist
        Confirmed User
        • Apr 2004
        • 1706

        #4
        (input > your contribution > output) generally costs more. It takes time to take requirements and come up with feasible specifications.

        If specifications are there then you just code away without caring about any of the design issues.

        Edit: As for the preference, I prefer the first option because there's more creativity involved... but it would cost more for the client of course
        Last edited by Linguist; 02-16-2006, 10:00 PM.
        315-310

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        • High Plains Drifter
          Confirmed User
          • Jun 2005
          • 2341

          #5
          I prefer to work from a desired feature set and nothing more.

          *edit* this isn't usual, btw.

          Comment

          • SilverTab
            Confirmed User
            • Nov 2001
            • 5060

            #6
            Well I like to have some details about the work...it helps make the script better...however, some people are just exagerating LOL...I did a script for someone and he was so picky...took like 3x the times it should've taken...and in the end it just isn't worth my time since I didn't charged him much more...

            he kept asking me to recode some parts...even AFTER he told me he wanted'em that or that way...
            mmm my sig was too big... no more cool animation
            but hey still! need php? ICQ: 94586959

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            • Spider Ninja
              Registered User
              • Nov 2005
              • 2051

              #7
              Originally posted by 2HousePlague
              Do you work best with a tight spec? By that I mean, the *method* of the function is described.

              Or do you like it better when just the end result is specified (input > your contribution > output)?
              you got to let the data find what it is looking for

              plus, translation from client to code is always an art form

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              • quantum-x
                Confirmed User
                • Feb 2002
                • 6863

                #8
                I get the client to provide me with a dot point list of what they want, as specifically and comprehensively as possible.

                I'll give it a quick look over, to make sure it makes sense, quote off that, and work off that.

                When you get to the end - there's no argument about work done if you've worked off a 50 point list as opposed to 'make me a program that does X'
                PrettyInCash.com - BoozedGFs.com - TeenGFs.com - JizzGFs.com- MilfUploads.com -

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                • Haydos
                  Confirmed User
                  • Jan 2006
                  • 308

                  #9
                  My programmers use this quote a lot...

                  'I am not a fukn designer...!"

                  so i guess they like to have specs upfront

                  Comment

                  • Due
                    Confirmed User
                    • Mar 2001
                    • 3620

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Haydos
                    My programmers use this quote a lot...

                    'I am not a fukn designer...!"

                    so i guess they like to have specs upfront
                    He is a good programmer then
                    If you buy a custom script and it is design wise awesome looking, then you know the backend is crap and they are trying to hide it with a fancy design, if it looks like shit then you know it will have a killer backend
                    Unless you buy it from a bigger company that have both designers and programmers, then everything will be shit since they cant work together
                    I buy plugs
                    Skype: Due_Global
                    /Due

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                    • everestcash
                      Confirmed User
                      • Apr 2002
                      • 2194

                      #11
                      i define my own specs

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                      • StuartD
                        Sofa King Band
                        • Jul 2002
                        • 29903

                        #12
                        99% of the time, the client has no idea what they really want. They have a concept.... but once they start to see the finish line, their head starts to swim with all kinds of new ideas as to how to make it even better or different.

                        I've met very few non programmers who knew every single thing they wanted with a script right from the start.
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                        • Napolean
                          Old school
                          • Nov 2002
                          • 4327

                          #13
                          tight spec.. if it isnt right.. clients fault, I wouldnt work for anyone who's just going to waste my time, recoding the same things over and over.

                          Maybe thats why I dont take clients at all anymore
                          Need a programmer? (Desktop/Web Applications) --- Skype: napoleande

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                          • SilverTab
                            Confirmed User
                            • Nov 2001
                            • 5060

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Haydos
                            My programmers use this quote a lot...

                            'I am not a fukn designer...!"

                            so i guess they like to have specs upfront

                            thank god im not the only one LOL...people are often confused between the 2 apparently...a lot of people contact me with like half a design, and they want a complete solution, so half of the work I have to do is messing with the design...
                            mmm my sig was too big... no more cool animation
                            but hey still! need php? ICQ: 94586959

                            Comment

                            • Spider Ninja
                              Registered User
                              • Nov 2005
                              • 2051

                              #15
                              yeah, half the work is figuring out what people want

                              Comment

                              • WarChild
                                Let slip the dogs of war.
                                • Jan 2003
                                • 17263

                                #16
                                Never really liked programming in the long term. Ended up as Project Manager with a team of programmers, and well, you're all fucked.
                                .

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                                • Spider Ninja
                                  Registered User
                                  • Nov 2005
                                  • 2051

                                  #17
                                  Originally posted by WarChild
                                  Never really liked programming in the long term. Ended up as Project Manager with a team of programmers, and well, you're all fucked.
                                  that's exactly what I'm doing

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                                  • WarChild
                                    Let slip the dogs of war.
                                    • Jan 2003
                                    • 17263

                                    #18
                                    Originally posted by Spider Ninja
                                    that's exactly what I'm doing
                                    Try to switch them to Diet Dr. Pepper and they'll keep longer on the shelf. Getting them to exercise is a near certain impossibility, but doesn't hurt to try that too.
                                    .

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                                    • Varius
                                      Confirmed User
                                      • Jun 2004
                                      • 6890

                                      #19
                                      I think it depends on the coder(s).

                                      For example, if you are outsourcing something to an offshore company, you definately want to have strict specifications. Leaving them room for 'creativity' will only lead to delays, problems and more time/money spent.

                                      On the flip side, if you have an experienced coder in-house, it might take more time to draw up the specs than to actually have him code the project based on a simple discussion.

                                      Also, it is often impossible for the client/project manager to come up with fully detailed technical specs unless they have a deep technical expertise. They might know what they want, maybe in what language and what database, etc...but they won't consider all the intricate details that come up which will lead to a need to go against the specs.

                                      I hate documentation/specs. However I know for a fact that they are sometimes the best option (for example, with Tico programmers ;p). That's my

                                      Fo you PHP guys, my tip of the day is to use Smarty. Once you get used to it you will LOVE it and its vast array of advantages/benefits.
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