The Pragmatic Craftsman :: Simplicity from complexity : by Stanley Kubasek ::

Here’s what Ben Rady, who calls himself software craftsman, states under his Statement of Values. I value similar things: I can sign my name under this statement. Excellent summary.

As a technical leader, I value:

* Talented People* Rapid Feedback* Individual Relationships* Facilitation over command and control* Continuous Improvement* Frequent Delivery

As a programmer, I value:

* Working Software* Clean Code* Rich Communication* Flexibility over efficiency* Sustainable Pace* Simplicity* Failing Fast over hiding errors

As a human being, I value:

* Courage, not cowardice* Humility, not hubris* Compassion, not callousness* Curiosity, not apathy* Discipline, not carelessness* Honesty, not deceit* Patience, not intolerance

ReferenceStatement of Values, Ben Rady

Here’s a great definition of what a software craftsman is. It’s also similar to the way I think. And this is also part of the Introduction in the book Agile Java.

I am a software craftsman. I have spent much of my software development career trying to quickly build solutions to problems. At the same time I have tried to ensure that my solutions demonstrate carefully crafted code. I strive for perfection in code, yet I know that it is unattainable, particularly with the constant pressure from business to get product out the door. I take modest pride in the code I build daily, yet when I look at the code I wrote the day before, I wonder, “What the heck was I thinking?” This is what keeps the craft challenging to me—the constant desire to figure out how to do things a little better the next time, and with a little less pain than this time.

ReferenceSafari eBooks – ACM – 0131482394 – Agile Java™: Crafting Code with Test-Driven Development

I found a great, pragmatic, and simple to understand definition of what a craftsman is from Dean Wampler, read below.

Am I a craftsman? No. Not yet. But I work hard in that regard. Besides the first quality — being widely recognized — I think I can get good marks in the other characteristics. I strive to deliver quality; I am passionate about coding; and I continuously learn.

A craftsman is widely recognized by peersRino recently won an international competition in Italy, one of many times he’s been recognized nationally and internationally.

A craftsman is passionate about the craftRino says that if you are passionate about food, you will work on the presentation of even humble dishes. Pasta, as well as lobster, deserves an attractive presentation.

A craftsman delivers value to the customer while meeting business objectivesRino keeps the kitchen lean and efficient. He keeps costs low by relying on high-quality ingredients, keeping waste to a minimum, and constantly improving the skills of his staff, all without ever compromising quality. In the year Rino has been at Pazzaluna, costs have dropped, while business and profits have increased.

A craftsman knows that quality is the number one priorityRino knows that cutting quality today means less business tomorrow. He keeps quality high by keeping morale high. Morale is high because his staff is constantly learning new and better recipes. Also, as you watch him interact with his staff, you can see that he treats all of them, from his sous chefs to the dishwashers, with dignity and respect, while always holding them to high standards.

A craftsman never stops learningYou would think that he knows it all, by now. Yet, he has never forgotten a lesson his own mentor taught him, “you can learn something from even the worst cook, because he always knows something you don’t!” How many gurus do you know that think they have nothing left to learn?

Dean Wampler on Craftsmanship

What does all this have to do with software? Pretty much everything. Like cuisine, clean code is part art, part science. Clean code is created by passionate craftsman who are fanatical and fastidious about every detail. Clean code is the product of years of accumulated experience. The decisions a master makes moment-by-moment, whether test-driving the next feature or fighting a fire, reflect the wisdom and breadth of knowledge that produce high-quality results quickly and efficiently. Finally, a master leads by example, bringing the rest of the team up to his or her standards.

So, if you’re young and ambitious, latch onto the mentors around you. If you can’t find any, find another job. (Your organization is doomed anyway; so you might as well move on now.) If you’re older and wiser, seek out the promising junior people, teach them what you know, and learn from them as well! Oh, and if you want to taste real Italian food, make a pilgrimage to St. Paul. Tell Rino I sent you.

ReferenceWhat I’ve Learned from Master Chef Rino Baglio, Dean Wampler