Are narcissists of any value as programmers, if reliability is needed ?
825604
It needs brains to be a programmer, non-narcissist narcissist  don't matter
529226
I am assuming primarily that you are talking about programmers. Being that I am one, I can tell you that some of the tools used to gauge productivity in companies is the good old "number of bugs versus how many lines written" method. If someone has 3 bugs in 20 lines of code, they are said to be not as productive as someone with 3 bugs in 200 lines of code. \n\nHowever, I will tell you now that in the world of programming there is a serious debate raging on about if measurements like this truly work for showing who is better or not. \n\nI rather determine worth and productivity based on if the programmer is willing to work with you, wants help on occasion, knowledgeable in general, and willing to work hard in fixing any known bugs.\n\nGeneral rule of thumb, if you find a programmer working hard, reliable, there at their desk every day willing to work with you to solve problems, they are worth their weight in gold. Even if they can't slam out 1000+ lines of code a day. Besides, what is lines of code when you can cut and paste?\n\nThis is only one of several tools, but a popular one you will hear.
897352
You can't demonize somebody . If they are not nice , just be glad you no longer work there . Find something else that makes you happy . Success is it's own reward . Forget about them . Are they really that important ?
273758
Hey, that's a good question, I wonder how people will respond.  There is a CNN article about virus writers that includes:\n\n"Male. Obsessed with computers. Lacking a girlfriend. Aged 14 to 34. Capable of sowing chaos worldwide. ...\nThey have a chronic lack of girlfriends, are usually socially inadequate and are drawn compulsively to write self-replicating codes."\n\nAnother article I found from bCentral.co.uk writes:\n\n"It's about the perception of the challenge," she says. "For an experienced programmer it's not difficult to write self-replicating programs but for a younger person it's a challenge." \n\nBoth articles are linked below.
963718
They could all potentially be valid C statements, depending on what functions and variables have already been defined.\n\nRawlyn.
1122777
My husband has no formal education in computers and he has worked on them for about 4 years now.  He runs into people that are A+ certified and says that they "act" like the know everything about computers when really they're ignorant jerks.  Just don't be like that and I think you'll be fine.
14715
As a "gem programmer" (modesty off) who was recently interviewed I can assure that there's only one way: to see their work. Ask them to show you their early works and talk about it.\n\nA couple years ago I was team leader with 17 developers. One programmer was great, articles in CUJ etc. - and worth nothing for the company. He just did his own hobby, neglecting the projects.\n\nHe could pass any test you can think about, but still, you got nothing usable from him.\n\nAnd as myself, after a couple million USD value software produced and sold, I will fail "clever" tests like the details of "cout" function - I never used it, and I saw it only in examples or logging.\n\nAnd when you hire a bad programmer, he/she will tend to hire/retain even worse coworkers. The result will be bugs and missed market.\nOnly Microsoft can survive such thing. :)
702298
quite a large number do,,,,going by my experiences.. the number of people that just click without thinking is amazing.\n\n\nstill keeps me in a job, fixing their mistakes..\n\nand keeps the hackers happy too
49801
Nice theory, do you belive in conspiracy theories so often?\n\nIndeed, many programmers ARE NERDS, (not sure if I am, but for this answer, yes, I'm afraid), but they doesn't make software to control all you do, some of them do it, but not all of them.\n\nBuild software it's not as simple as building a house, not everything is invented, indeed, the programmer is inventing the whole thing, so that makes a lot of room to make mistakes, a lot of mistakes. There's were hacker's sees an opportunity to get into your system. But wasn't the initial intention of the programmer.\n\nI'm sorry to even answer this question, but user like you makes me think twince when giving a right or bad answer to someone the other side of the line.
751820
This is a subjective question, so I'll answer it subjectively. At my organization, we've developed a set of criteria for good programmers:\n\n1. Has a strong mathematical background; e.g. can solve complex word problems independently. Good mathematicians often make the best programmers; and bad mathematicians write inefficient algorithms.\n\n2. Has good interpersonal skills. This attribute is too often overlooked in programmers, who often are stereotyped as solitary geeks. A good communicator will be able to work well with other employees engaged in the development process. This is especially important if an outside client is involved.\n\n3. Knows when to stop. A quality programmer doesn't get carried away by scope creep (projects that develop more and more features as they go on).\n\n4. Knows his arsenal. Naturally, it's critical that a programmer be an expert at his toolkit. Learning while you program is healthy, but for an important project, it is best to have a solid grasp of your environment and language before you begin.\n\n5. Saves his work. Heard stories about very important things being lost in computer crashes? This can all be avoided by backing things up.\n\n6. Tests maniacally. A good programmer is extremely patient, and runs many tests, both human and automated, on his or her program.
382403
Strictly speaking, you have decided NOT to embrace the "undecidable" and NOT the "unverifiable".  Unverifieable, inherently implies the potential applicability of the scientific and/or logical verification process, which in turn could be a function of the Uncertainly Principle, time, knowledge, instrumentation, etc.  Whereas the situation at hand is by far much more hopeless than that; the very notion of "verifiability" does NOT even apply in this case.  Yes my friend those ancient desert-dwellers really knew how to screw us all with their creation of an undecidable god that can only be attained through the pure fairytale process of "faith".   And hence started the greatest conspiracy ever plotted against the human race, and which, in its many mutated forms, continues to this very day.   ... As for the pity part - well, how can I pity someone who has a great family, enjoys his life, and has otherwise had the courage to construct his own reality in accords with his moral will?    Besides, we do not much care for twice-removed guests like you DOWN HERE anyway. :-)
541484
Surely.Now-a-days the percentage of Sofware Testers in a project has certainly increased as people these days mostly rely on quality so approximately i can say there 2 testers for 1 programmer in many world class companies.So U can choose it without any hesitation and also the Pay is comparatively good with different organizational levels according to ur performance .Now-a-days Software industry  recruit people based on there analytical skills and their mindset to handle critical issues...Sofware testing being field of Destructive attitude rather than constructive(I mean finding problems in solutions)it needs a lot of analytical skills.
340644
Yes, but you have to be patient and intuitive for them to work.  And they do not tell you what will happen to you.  They can only indicate what may happen if you continue your path without making any changes to your life.  Sometimes that can be good, sometimes that can be bad.  They are more of a guide.
36121
money wise.... probably knowledge in Linux, networking especially, since most industries are now switching to Linux, and people who an set it up, are few and far between.\nprogramming. will always be a need for programmers.\n\nfun wise. building them, id say. get to build dream machines, at someone elses expense :)
649913
Good Security eng. and hackers are excellent programmers with all round exceptional programming skills.\nIf you become skilled enough in that area, u will not have to ask ...\nHacking – ethical or not is just a side effect of Very Comprehensive Knowledge! And Illegal! \n...Beside other reasons such “professionals” may have…?????!\nCheers
745997
Completely trustworthy.\n\nBlessed Be
865860
Why wouldn't it be reliable???  Its written by a man!!!  I've seen him on TV, he seems sincere.  His books make sense.  I've seen his calendars, miniaturized books etc.