Programmers: Why We Do.

[monkey0506]

As I have developed my skill as a programmer, it has become increasingly apparent to me what an elitist group of prats that we all are. I can't really speak for everyone, but somewhere down the line it seems that I lost sight of why I ever started. As a child I grew up playing The Secret of Monkey Islandâ,,¢, which inspired me to want to make games. Over time that desire was pushed aside by my own selfishness, leading up to "My Christmas Gift".

Recently there has been a somewhat heated debate around JJS' repository between myself and another person, C vs. C++. Personally I find that C++ does in fact live up to its name, as a better version of C. This other person will swear under oath that anyone who uses C++ is nothing more than a troll. I have done some research, and virtually (heh, virtual) every benchmark I have seen shows that C++ is as fast or faster than C when running functionally similar code. I also came across a rant by Linus Torvalds (as Linux users would have it, the savior of the computing world) in which he spouts off how slow C++ is, how easily it lends itself to bad programming style, and how he would rather piss off a C++ programmer than have one work on a project with him.

I don't mean for this to turn into a language debate. We have enough of those going around... I make mention of it because it serves as a great example of how elitism can create rifts among us. I'm not immune, and I'll admit I'm even responsible.

What I'd really be interested to learn is why the programmers here have chosen to follow this path. I assume that for many of us the reasons will be similar, but that's exactly what I'd like to find out.

For me, I wanted to become a programmer so that I could learn how to make games like Monkey Island. In the early days of my membership in this community, I also grew to want to help others with their own programming efforts. It was fun and challenging for me, and it brought a sense of fulfillment. I'd like to find my way back to that.

[Crimson Wizard]

I curse that day when I turned to this path. I do not want to be programmer anymore. I think I'd rather be a farmer. Or engineer. Or bus driver. I hate programming and I hate computers.

[Retro Wolf]

I dont't think i deserve the title of programmer, more of a dabbler. I've been playing computer and video games from a young age, I remember when my Dad brought home an Amiga 500+ in the early 90's. I've always been interested in creating my own worlds, whether through game maker or stories.

I enjoy coming across a problem, and figuring out how to overcome it (however unorthadox, programming purists would probably be horrified by the way I sometimes code.). Who doesn't play a game, and come up with their own ideas of how it could be improved, or what hasn't been done before?

It may sound cheesy: I don't program for recognition, or for the entertainment of others. I do it because I enjoy it!

[qptain Nemo]

It's my biggest talent and one of my biggest passions. It's one of the most enabling, empowering, liberating and just enjoyable things in my life. It's the best way to express myself that I know. It allows me to enable myself to fulfill my other sacred desires and dreams, pertaining first and foremost to gamemaking. Do I need to give more reasons?..

[Radiant]

I curse that day when I turned to this path. I do not want to be programmer anymore. I think I'd rather be a farmer. Or engineer. Or bus driver. I hate programming and I hate computers.

I wanted... to be... a LUMBERJACK!

[Ghost]

Programming is way cool. No matter what language. If the end result is fun, I don't care if it's written in Assembler, Java, C, C++ or Sanskrit.
I'm a C# person myself and I even use AGS on occasion. Fire away 

[Ponch]

I don't care if it's written in Assembler, Java, C, C++ or Sanskrit. I'm a C# person myself and I even use AGS on occasion.

Go FORTRAN or go home! 

[Slasher]

For me, I wanted to become a programmer so that I could learn how to make games like Monkey Island. In the early days of my membership in this community,
I also grew to want to help others with their own programming efforts. It was fun and challenging for me, and it brought a sense of fulfillment. I'd like to find my way back to that.

The Bold says it all, people like me (and others here) need people like you 

slasher

[voh]

I started programming because I wanted to make games. I started with QB4.5, but then discovered the web, where I connected with other QB programmers.

I never really got far with conventional languages, but I started playing around with PHP because internet was just too exciting not to get involved in. I also know that almost all programmers are elitistically negative towards PHP

About 2 years ago I started developing in PHP professionally. I spent a long time not knowing what I wanted to do (I could do a lot of things, but never really dedicated myself to one or the other). I can say, with full confidence, that I found that I love programming. A whole lot.

But I still want to make games