From: dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Subject: Re: Software Programmers = Auto Workers?
Reply-To: dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 13:49:59 GMT

In article <62198@mimsy.umd.edu>, hagger@cs.umd.edu (Paul Hagger) writes:
|> 
|> In article <1992Nov18.175946.14181@oakhill.sps.mot.com> rvkl60@aus18a25.sps.mot.com (Tom Mathes) writes:
|> >
|> >The article discusses a new book called "The Decline and Fall if the
|> >American Programmer", by Edward Yourdan (Prentice-Hall, Englewood
|> >Cliffs, NJ).  Mr. Yourdon groups data processors, software people and
|> >systems analysts in this group, and he claims that the American software
|> >industry will go the way of the US auto industry if present trends
|> >continue.  He sites the lousy quality control of the software coming out
|> >of American software houses, and the excessive development costs that
|> >are assoicated with it.  He likens the attitude of American software
|> >engineers to that of auto workers in the 1970s, that is, egocentric,
|> >looking down upon their non-US competition, and unconcerned about the
|> >quality of their product or productivity.
|> >
|> >Tom Mathes                                e-mail : rvkl60@aus18a25.sps.mot.com
|> 
|> I read "The Decline and Fall of the American Programmer."  Mr. Yourdon
|> attempts to make the claim that off shore programmers produce better
|> products in less time and for less money.  But only in the first
|> chapter (and I suppose in an Appendix, but not really).  And as far as
|> I am concerned, he doesn't persuade too well.
|> 
|> The rest of the book is a modern day version of "Mythical Man Month" in
|> that it reviews current software engineering techniques and the state of
|> the art in software design/production.  While Mr. Yourdon has a vested
|> interest in some of the topics he discusses, he does not push any of
|> his previous acheivements/efforts on the reader.  The book is a good
|> summary and a pleasant read IMHO.
|> 
|> I also think that the book is worth the money simply for the suggested
|> reading section near the end.
|> 
|> -hagger

Just as an aside I would like to point out that the TSE is run by an IBM, and
the my company, Bell-Northern Research, now has labs in Japan and is selling
Telecommunications Equipment (re : computers) in Japan.  

There is a big difference between the Computer Industry and the Auto Industry.
For one, we are willing to change to compete; maybe because we are used to more
direct competition than the big three.  And for two, we don't build crap.  The
take over of the auto industry was waiting to happen, but it couldn't start in
North America because the big 3 (and the unions) ran things here.  I'm always
amazed VW didn't do more damage when they came in.  Too much flag waving I
imagine.

Don Clayton
a.k.a. Admiral Maverick, DM of the Drow
My brain, my thoughts, my words.
If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a K-car (a nice reliant automobile),
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