2y ago

Why Software Engineers like Woodworking

www.zainrizvi.io

Having recently picked up woodworking after building my own office desk, this hit rather close to home.

Related HN discussion:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39337923

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2y ago

Why software engineers like woodworking (2021)

www.zainrizvi.io /blog/why-software-engineers-like-woodworking/

31 comments

I'm a software engineer who does woodworking, and I approve this message.
But my favorite explanation: you grab your hand saw, and it works. You don't find out that the latest npm japanese-hand-saw-tooth package is incompatible with plywood, and you need to downgrade the package or buy new plywood to make a cut.
- Japanese handsaws aren't good for plywood? I've not got one yet so I've not experienced that for myself.
  
  It's a joke about software development tools breaking in dumb ways, and that it's not a problem with saws
Woodworking has the same highs as software engineering (and even more if you spend enough time around glue).
I find myself in the same boat, but with 3D printing
- I'm not good at making things, but I'm not bad at telling computers how to make things.
I get some of the same feelings working on home automation and creating my own IOT devices.
Been remodeling a house that we just bought and this has been a my experience as well. I just enjoy making things. Software, home automations, wood, anything. The joy of building. I think that's what it is.
I've been software developer for +7 years, and I must say I also love woodworking. Since is something completely out of my scope as developer, it requires patient and is pretty relaxing working with your hands like this. No client changes, no meetings, instant feedback... and no dependency managers.
- This.
  My friends/family: this is amazing, you could sell these!
  Thank you for the compliment, but no. Absolutely no. I make plenty of money at my day job. I enjoy making sawdust and wood chips, and want to keep enjoying it.
  
  I guess we are just addicted to building things xD
I feel like sewing belongs here. And cooking, at least to some degree.
- Sewing for sure, especially machine sewing. I feel like I've got as much time invested in fighting and maintaining our sewing machines as in our Windows machines. 😛
  And then there's that whole transition between pattern (spec) and outcome that is oddly reminiscent of far too many of my software projects!
  
  Curiously, what sort of fights do you have with your sewing machine? I just started getting into sewing a couple months ago. I'm currently using a borrowed machine and haven't had any major issues yet. I was hoping to buy my own soon and wanted to know if there were specific features that commonly cause problems.
When I was on the fence about teaching English any longer, a friend of mine encouraged me to try software development because "[I] know languages, and [I] like to build things." I still feel a lot more comfortable with a saw and clamps, but I think he's right.
same but blacksmithing. you can make more tools too
- I haven't yet started blacksmithing, but it's the next logical progression. Other than a (very!) occasional boat and the odd bit of furniture or cabinetry, I seem to spend most of my time making tools, jigs, and fixtures.
With woodworking you actually get to hold your creations.
This is the reason I got interested in embedded software development.
Did woodworking before I started software engineering, and I feel like the general attitude to craftsmanship applies well to coding.
Because you think "Oh, I made a mistake, I'll be sure to fix it later". You never fix it later. You mostly just add layers of shit on top of it and pray nobody asks you in the future "Hey, WTF were you doing there?"
- Not sure if you are talking about programming or woodworking
  
  Yes
How about homebrewing?
Funny, I've been a banker mason (stonemason) for 10 years and I'm now doing a computer science degree.
- Before studying programming, I used to work as electrician, haha
Why is this so goddamn accurate
They love homebrewing too

31 comments