"rejoicing in someone else's delivery of value with something I built for them"
I think that's kind of a weird definition of programming. I don't know why it rubs me the wrong way. I find tremendous joy in writing and reading code which does something cool, even if those somethings don't provide value to the outside world.
Of course, programming means different things for different people, and there's nothing inherently wrong with your definition. I just think it's a bit broad and maybe misses the mark for a lot of people who really enjoy programming itself, rather than as a means to some end.
"I think that's kind of a weird definition of programming. I don't know why it rubs me the wrong way."
Because a marketer can use it with a straight face to say that when they created a successful marketing campaign they have "programmed". I think you still need some concept of coding in there, even though I would also agree some idea of value delivered to somebody is also important.
I also definitely think delivering value is important! But wrapping that up in definition of programming itself is mixing things up. I think it makes more sense to include delivering value as part of the bigger context of programming as a career and a job.
My favorite kind of programming is when I solve an esoteric little problem that no one else will ever care about but makes exactly one person's life better. Mine!
Its not that I'm being selfish or anything, its about rejoicing in the fact that I had the skill to do it and better my own lot, instead of sitting there helpless, wishing there was someone who could do it for me.
It's more a general philosophy of life. The argument is that, in the end, you will be more satisfied by creating value for other people than if you only do things you find interesting or enjoyable in the moment, but do not impact other people's lives.
Of course, that's not to say you have to choose only one. Google seems an exercise of doing really interesting things that also have a massive influence on people's lives.
I think that's kind of a weird definition of programming. I don't know why it rubs me the wrong way. I find tremendous joy in writing and reading code which does something cool, even if those somethings don't provide value to the outside world.
Of course, programming means different things for different people, and there's nothing inherently wrong with your definition. I just think it's a bit broad and maybe misses the mark for a lot of people who really enjoy programming itself, rather than as a means to some end.