Realistic Portrayals of Software Programmers?

Posted by Cliff on Tuesday February 18, 2003 @07:23AM from the you're-expecting-THAT-out-Hollywood? dept.

lwbecker2 asks: "Warren Harrison has written a thought-provoking editorial piece on The Software Developer as Movie Icon. He explores the fact that new entrants to Computer Science curriculum are typically clueless about what 'real' developers actually do. While researching the issue of why this is the case, he determined that some potential CS degree seekers are forming opinions from portrayals in movies and cinema. He describes what he asserts to be inaccurate portrayals of developers in War Games, TRON, and The Net, and asks for input and opinions on 'the impact of the cinema and television on new software developers' expectations, as well as learn of any films that do a better job of portraying our profession...' I am sure Slashdot readers have some input on this, and I am curious if people believe _any_ movie has acurately portrayed software developers?"

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Re:Office Space by NineNine · 2003-02-18 09:26 · Score: 1, Flamebait

The first time I saw Office Space, it was so realistic, I got physically ill. The whole thing was entirely accurate. The boss. The meetings. The programmers. The old guy (yes, that IS what happens to old programmers... I've seen it many times). The lunches. The lunch discussions. Wow. It blew my fucking mind. Just having watched it again last night, I feel bad for all of you suckers still plugging away at it.