I was a sysadmin for a small EE firm that developed test stands with LabView. The biggest common problem I had -- beyond the EEs not having the technical knowledge to understand how networks or operating systems work -- was that source control was a nightmare because everything was a blob.
It made sense to the EEs because they were used to staring at wiring diagrams. I think we'd have a lot more programmers if we could develop similar programming methods that appeal to different ways that people think.
> I think we'd have a lot more programmers if we could develop similar programming methods that appeal to different ways that people think.
I think this is very well put. I occasionally present on programming topics to my sons' classes. Even as early as 8 or 9, programming is well within their intellectual capacity (and often their desires). So programming tools that don't erect huge barriers to entry... maybe lots of latent value.
It made sense to the EEs because they were used to staring at wiring diagrams. I think we'd have a lot more programmers if we could develop similar programming methods that appeal to different ways that people think.