On 24/2/21 14:47, Vittorio Bertola wrote:
Il 24/02/2021 17:37 Christian Huitema <huitema@xxxxxxxxxxx> ha scritto:
Vittorio,
The word "coder" is a somewhat insulting way to refer to software
developers. Please stop. This vocabulary implies a hierarchy in which
the specifications are developed by superior specification writers,
then handed down to subservient "coders" who merely translate it into
computer code. This is a very reductive way of considering software
development. For example, it completely discards the interaction
between implementation, deployment, testing, and user feedback. In the
IETF, the writing of good specifications has always benefited from
such interactions, and we want that to continue.
Of course (originally being a software writer myself, and still doing it
as a hobby) this was not my intention, and personally I never heard any
software developer complaining that "coder" is an insulting term. But if
it is, I apologize for using it, and we should just add it to the list
of problematic words, so that everyone is aware that it should not be
used at the IETF.
I'd ask that participants be aware that a number of us speak English as
a second language. So, while at times we might be aware that for some
there might be differences (at times subtle) in the meaning of such
words, other times we're not simply aware about them, or may overlook
them (since English is not our native language).
For instance, the word "coder" has no equivalent in Spanish (the
equivalent would be "codificador", but you'd never use that for coder or
programmer). So it shouldn't come as a surprise that a Spanish-speaking
person uses "programmer" to refer to "coder", "software developer" or
"programmer" (itself), or that somehow mixes up these words.
The same probably applies to other languages.
I guess following Postel's advice might be of use here.
Thanks,
--
Fernando Gont
SI6 Networks
e-mail: fgont@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
PGP Fingerprint: 6666 31C6 D484 63B2 8FB1 E3C4 AE25 0D55 1D4E 7492
