Software Craftsman / Apprentice

"Santos Hernández was born in Madrid. According to Rene Vannes' Dictionnaire Universel des Luthiers, he was the son of a tinsmith, who hoped that he would enter that trade. At the age of 10 he spent two years as an apprentice making gold wire (or, by some accounts, in a shop selling ceremonial dress for the Catholic liturgy) before becoming an apprentice with a guitarrero called Viudes, part of a well-known Madrid instrument-making family. He worked for several other makers, becoming an accomplished craftsman, joining Manuel Ram’rez in the 1890s, after army service. He was to become Ramírez's chief craftsman, staying with him for 20 years or more." [The Guitars of Steve Kahn]

What would the software world be like if the knowledge and tradtions of software development were passed via craftsman/apprentice relationships? I'd imagine the guitar making world probably doesn't change as much as the software world. But if you boil down the traits of a great software developer I'd imagine they would carry over quite well.

When talking to folks who "Get It" or who are "Lit" as software "craftsman" there's a distinguished feel that walks in front of them. Their thought processes progress quickly and clearly. The approaches that formulate seem to stear clear of technical obstacles. Yet the quality that makes them true craftsmen is pure simplicity. You can always tell the work of an experienced developer: It's much more elegant.

At VSLive I had the opportunity to have lunch with Chris Sells. He possessed those qualities. I was so blown away by his intellect.

Now just imagine being an apprentice of someone like him.