One of the most interesting aspects of the industry we work in is the pace at which it evolves. Having software and computer technology progress so rapidly is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing for some obvious reasons: constantly improving tools can help us write faster and more powerful software, the rapid change can lead to better career opportunities if you choose to keep up with the technology, and the need to learn new things quickly can bring personal growth. In addition, the quick evolution of software and computer technology means there’s always a lot of room for new and innovative ideas. But it’s a curse because the pace of change often makes it seem so difficult to stay current. Every time we turn around, we’re faced with something new to absorb. When do we have the time and opportunity to really master what we’ve just learned? Given that our chosen profession isn’t going to change anytime soon, how can we as developers deal with this dual nature of our work? The answer, we think, is to find the best tools available to help you optimize the latest technology and minimize your learning curve.
Over the course of our careers, we’ve noticed a certain pattern in software development—perhaps you’ve observed it as well. When a new software technology emerges, it seems weird and bizarre, often a black art only a chosen few can master. Then folks develop higher-level abstractions that make the technology easier to work with.
In the beginning, there was assembly language—and it was good. Assembly language made implementing programs substantially easier than having to use machine language. Then computer languages, interpreters, and compilers replaced assembly language, and many more people were able to write programs.