Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I want to sit behind the keyboard every day for the rest of my life. After all, I still enjoy my time riding snow covered slopes. But I do see myself writing code well into my retirement years. For me the trick is keeping the work exciting and fresh.
When I start getting bored I find new ways to liven things up. For instance, over the years I have switched languages a number of times. I was a BASIC/PASCAL developer in the 80's then I switched to C/C++. A few years later I switched to VB followed by Delphi followed by Java. ASP and a return to VB followed which was later replaced with C# and the .NET Framework. And today I am writing Win32 code using Delphi.
Other ways to make software development fresh again is to pursue new areas of interest. Instead of writing yet another web-based application, find a project that allows you to write a desktop application. If you have been doing in-house development for years consider a move to an ISV. I personally find commercial software development is a different experience and worlds apart from enterprise, in-house development.
Other ways to keep software development fresh that have worked for me:
- Participate on a standard committee - help change the industry
- Spend the next year focused on a particular technology that is new to you
- Work with a new team and participate in a role that is new you - for instance become the QA manager if you have been a senior developer for the last few years
- Write your own software...and sell it!
Great ideas.
I too can't see myself ever not writing code, though I do it mainly for "fun" now -- which is what motivates me. If I didn't find coding fun, I wouldn't do it.
And, some other ideas to add to your list:
1) Keep up on the "bleeding edge" products - like, SQL2005, which finally today has an official release date of November 7th.
2) Try completely different PLATFORMS -- this will challenge your creativity. E.g., try Linux with Python and PyGTK instead of a Windows-based app. Though initially frustrating due to learning curve, it can be fun learning completely new ways of doing things.
3) Work with a team of other people that feel the same way about coding as you :)
Writing code is the closest we can get to playing god - heh - well, sorta. You create "life" in the form of applications that will evolve and find be used to improve other persons lives through productivity and entertainment. Writing great code is an art and a gift, and there just aren't many people that can do it. So, enjoy the fact you can and keep up the coding! Rock on!
Sounds like the guy that built the subway station in the matrix.
posted by Dave | June 7 02:04 PMAdd Your Comment
