RE: Development: A Structured Problem Area?

Yes, I got re-acquainted with Stuart and Hubert Dreyfus after seeing
Dave speak at the Northern VA No Fluff, Just Stuff. Great conference.

I am unclear about how software exhibits emergent behavior. From my
understanding of the complexity literature, emergence can occur when
many independent agents with simple rules interact; the Game of Life
being an example. I don't see software as being structured in the same
way - will you volunteer an example?

I am less concerned with turning development into a structured activity
- I like it unstructured. My concern is that what is structurable will
be structured and then engineered and I want to know what will be
engineered so I can stay ahead of automation. ;)

Thanks for the heads-up on Lester. That sounds like a good companion to
the Dreyfuses and Schon. According to a recent paper of H. Dreyfus',
there may be a new book coming out from them on the skill model soon,
updated to cover neural networks and other advances since 1986.

Derek Richardson

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Hunt 
> [mailto:andy-CFUc0I3L9bbJyQSMb4qrZi4gXjV2jqTv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
> Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 10:23 AM
> To: PragProg Group
> Subject: Re: [pragprog] Development: A Structured Problem Area?
> 
> On Mon, 2004-06-14 at 19:32, Derek Richardson wrote:
> > I am currently comparing the theories supporting craft and 
> engineering 
> > approaches to development. Both Dreyfus and Dreyfus in _Mind Over 
> > Machine_ and Donald Schon in _The Reflective Practitioner_ 
> > differentiate between structured and unstructured problems. 
> Computers 
> > and mathematics can solve structured problems, while human 
> intution is required for unstructured problems:
> 
> I believe that the design of computer programs is 
> "unstructured," in the Dreyfus sense of the word.  
> Colloquially, it's a "messy problem".  
> 
> Any reasonably sized software system will exhibit emergent 
> properties and at least some degree of complex (not 
> complicated, but complex as in
> non-linear) behaviors.  As with social systems, the 
> interesting part is in the relationships between objects and 
> subsystems, and not as much the objects themselves.  I think 
> that's just the nature of the beast; it's not like we have to 
> conquer any problem to make it a structured activity.  Where 
> we err is in trying to attack non-linear, complex, 
> "unstructured" problems using simplistic, linear tools. 
> 
> BTW, these are the same Mssrs. Dreyfus who came up with the 
> Skills Acquisition Model that Dave and I speak on frequently. 
>  Good stuff. 
> 
> You might also want to read up on Stan Lester's work on "Model A" vs.
> "Model B" professions.  His key points on a "Model B" 
> profession (akin to Dreyfus's "unstructured"):
> 
> * Requires creativity
> * Features Messy, divergent problems
> * Requires Constructivism---Knowledge is situational and unique (e.g.
> don't dissect the frog, build it)
> * Emphasizes Value (model B) vs. truth (model A)
> * Uses intelligent intuition (abductive, inductive, deductive 
> reasoning)
> * Suggests you should build a portfolio of learningful activity
> * Success by Reflection, refinement, inquiry and synthesis
> 
> These come from notes from an unpublished paper I started to 
> write on the whole Dreyfus arena.  One of these days I might 
> finish it :-)
> 
> /\ndy
> 
> --
>   Andy Hunt, The Pragmatic Bookshelf
>              Practical Books for Pragmatic Programmers
>              2004 Jolt Productivity Award Winner
>   Toll-free: 800-699-7764                  direct: 919-847-3884
>   web: http://www.PragmaticBookshelf.com   email: 
> andy-nROxRTvbhZoEA+wnnyU9V7DBZHPfuMY2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> 
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