Delphi
For years, I developed Line of Business Windows apps with Delphi. My employers didn’t know or care what tool I used. If I told them what I used, it didn’t register, and they soon forgot it. They just cared that the apps worked, and solved the problem at hand. Oh, and they liked getting those apps quickly.
Perhaps it’s just my insecurity, but I feel like people don’t take Delphi (or Delphi developers) very seriously. I feel kind of funny putting it on my resume, and try to emphasize my C# and PHP skills.
I’m actually a bit surprised to see Delphi listed at #10 on the TIOBE Programming Index for August 2010. You certainly don’t see many jobs listed for Delphi. I have to assume that most users are like me - individuals or small shops using a tool they are familiar and productive with.
When I started doing web applications, I briefly considered using Java and JSP, but concluded that PHP (#4 on TIOBE) performed much better. Delphi was never a consideration as I didn’t think putting a Windows server on the internet was a good idea at the time.
I never could see a good reason to switch to Visual Basic, and wasn’t much into Microsoft’s offerings until C# came along. At that point, with .NET gathering steam, the writing was on the wall for Delphi, and I started using C#.NET (#6 on TIOBE) for Windows development. (It’s probably no coincidence that Anders Hejlsberg was the lead architect for both Delphi and C#)
At this point, I don’t think I’ll use Delphi much, except for quick little Win32 utilities, but honestly, it is still easier to whip out a quick little database app with Delphi than it is with C#.
Star Programmers
Ironically, despite a glut of skilled and unskilled workers, in northern California, available developers who know what they are doing are as rare as mosquitoes in winter. When companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook drain the field, startups can’t compete.
Who knew the developer situation in Northern California was so dire? Perhaps I should relocate? Oh, never mind - I’m not a “star” programmer. Merely a competent one. (And sometimes I wonder about that.)
Sticking with the repugnant terminology of “star” programmers: By definition there aren’t going to be many of those. But apparently, the work can’t get done by the lesser, merely competent programmers.
Don’t get me wrong - I’d never apply for one of these jobs. I know I’m not cut out to work in a Silicon Valley startup.
On the plus side, the article suggests that companies might start evaluating programmers based upon demonstrated ability. Brilliant.
