developer.* Blogs - What's Your Super-Domain? - Comments

Domain

john3223 — Tue, 23 May 2006 13:41:53 -0700

Within a given super-domain, the problems are largely of a similar stripe to the advance knowledge. Software development involces a perfect mixture of technical, social , user friendly skills. So this not the best , try to resubmit it.

Super Domain

john3223 — Tue, 23 May 2006 13:31:39 -0700

It is important to understand the Super Domain you operate in. I have found that I operate in a super domain that does not have a domain, in the sense I work in all domain hiring my skills to sort out bugs and improve efficiency and integrity of the different systems. This has brought me from manufacturing to finance to scheduling and logistics...... Being a contractor is wonderful and allows me to play with a lot of systems and domains, never thought I would be a stainless steel expert and calculate the Mark-to-Market for most derivatives.

Joel on "Five Worlds"

Daniel Read — Mon, 22 May 2006 16:36:26 -0700

I was reading my copy of the Joel on Software book and came across a nice essay by Joel called, "Five Worlds" (link is to the online version), which he wrote in 2002. Joel's division of the software development universe in the "five worlds" of shrinkwrap, internal, embedded, games, and throwaway is similar to my idea of "super domains." I was happy to see that Joel and I both touched on the idea that your "world" is not the only world:

Most things in software development are the same no matter what kind of project you're working on, but not everything. When somebody tells you about methodology, think about how it applies to the work you're doing. Think about where the person is coming from. In any case, we should all be able to learn something from each other.

I recommend Joel's essay, if for no other reason than for the story about the dough and the breadcrumbs.

Dan

My Super Domain

Don Gray — Mon, 01 May 2006 14:01:25 -0700

People. Aren't they wonderful? And fun to work with!

I've been in "da biddness" for about 30 years, and every project has involved other people.

Well put

Andy Tegethoff — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 12:40:55 -0700

I think the term "super-domain" defines it well. There's definitely the flavor of intersection about how developer skill sets fit together.
I think the points I made fit inside what you're disucssing, in that when I consider it, I can't imagine jumping between the kinds of "super-domains" you identify here. I have largely the same super-domain you do, and similarly can't imagine being employed on a zero-fault-tolerance, algorithmically-complex NASA flight control system, etc.
Although it would be the bees knees to do so....

I still maintain that, within a given super-domain, the problems are largely of a similar stripe -- to the degree that advance knowledge of a specific domain within the larger category is unnecessary if not superfluous.

Buisness software development calls for a specific blend of technical and social skills -- working technical angles in a business environment, largely surrounded by or working for non-technical people. But beneath that, the problems largely look alike after a while.
Writing device drivers for networking equipment needs a different cross-section of skills (which would likely be heavier on the math/super-technical "Knuth-loving" end of the scale), but I'm sure it's the same story on that side. Granted, this contrasting example is not the best because the level of detail isn't really the same.

What's Your Super-Domain?

Daniel Read — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 15:48:07 -0700

Andy Tegethoff started a good discussion with his domain-specific knowledge post, and related comment on the thread for Sarah George's recent professionalism article. I've been mulling the topic over this weekend, and I'd like to offer a take from a different angle.