Whether the development of professional computing applications in 25
years from now will be easier or more difficult than it is now.

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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 12 Nov 2005 14:27 PST

Hello john4783-ga,

Answer: "Yes!" On the other hand, "NO!"

As you can see, you've posed a simple, closed question that can be
answered with "yes" or "no."  Can you tell us more about the context
of your question? What evidence are you expecting? Or, do you just
want someone to give you opinions on this topic? What are you looking
for? Is this a class assignment?

I look forward to your clarification.

~ czh ~

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Clarification of Question by john4783-ga on 13 Nov 2005 02:43 PST

Ok I would like an opinion on the matter as I am not very knowledgeble
in this field. This is a class project although we are allowed
opinions from other people - if you could provide this I would be
happy.

Imagine that you are an auto mechanic

Now, what car would be easier to work on, a 1980 model or a 2005 model ?

Which car handles better, and goes faster ?

Which car is made out of components that are incredibly complicated,
cannot be taken apart and require sophisticated instruments to
diagnose and/or tune ?

Without being sarcastic, there are many similarities between working
on a car and building software systems.

25 years ago, programmers had relatively simple computers and used simple tools.
Nowadays computers are far more complex and powerful, and a programmer
uses very complex tools.

Nowadays a programmer can produce far more complex and powerful
systems which do things barely dreamt of in 1980 - but when things go
wrong it is normally a nightmare.

The next 25 years will probably be the same.