The Cooking Codes.

Without much ado, i jump into the topic... Sometimes Cooking and coding seem to be greatly similar. 


Both of them have Methods, called recipes in one case and algorithms in the other.

Both have parameters to be tuned, an input to be given, and a precise output that is expected.

In both cases, partial output is totally worthless.

There is a huge huge gap between the method conceived and its implementation.

Both require utmost concentration for a novice, and though sometimes they can be automated, the resultant product is not always the one desired.


Both have to be learnt with practice. The experts can never "teach" how to do it. Usually, both are done by trial and error in the beginning stages.

Both can be 'learnt' in a matter of days, but take years to master!

The superficial similarities are not the only ones.

Both can be outsourced, although it does cost a lot to do so. Neither of these is learnt unless (1)there is a life-threatening emergency to do so. or (2) if it turns out to be a passion for him/her.

Both are absolutely drab and a waste of time to some people whilst some others consider it an exalted form of art , a medium of ultimate sophisticated self expression.

The bosses always want the result, and are not concerned about how difficult it was to get it done.

The number of books abound for both, but the quality does not necessarily improve by the reading of books.

Its extremely trivial to make errors in either, and once the errors are made, its very very very difficult to find and correct.

Both have their time and space complexities, and that cant always be estimated beforehand.

Discoveries of new recipies/hacks are mostly done by lucky accidents.

Each has its beauty, a subtle indication of the fine precision and skill that has been chiselled into it. This is often only pursued by the people who have the 'taste' for such things. For others, one recipe seems as lifeless and boring as the others.

In both these skills, if the heart is not in the job it is very difficult to accomplish much and the time and money spent does not always add up to the quality.

"Too many cooks spoil the broth" holds true in both the domains.

Both skills turn to be life critical at times, and become vulnerable to Murphy's laws too, and precisely at that time.

Lastly, there is always scope for improvement in both!

Oh, somethings missing.... Ah .. A moral ... So here it goes ...

So, the next time your grand mother asks you a doubt in computers, do not be arrogant. She would be a better coder than you, if only she plunged into the domain. She already knows the tricks of the trade. [:P] Oh, i forgot , the reverse does not always hold true.

PS : Sorry for making you read this mokkai.