Update on what is software development -art or science- debate
This is an update on my internal inquiry: What is software development, art or science?
Not surprisingly, the act of programming digital computers is both, art and science. Now I know. Actually, the simple question “what is software development, art or science?” is a malformed or ill-formulated question because it presupposes the subject matter can be or an art or a science as a whole.
Software development is art because the essence of the root meaning of art includes the notion of skill, dexterity, ability. That is to say, in order to practice software development there is need of –unavoidable- certain skill set.
Software development is science because the essence of the root meaning of science includes the notion of reliable knowledge. That is to say, in order to practice software development there is need of –unavoidable- reliable knowledge.
In both —art and science— we, as guild of professionals, need to improve badly.
For further reading, read Computer programming as an art by Donald E. Knuth.
