It’s foolish to try and divide the world into two types of people. But, as this edition of Source Code shows, there does seem to be a clear dividing line between those who see software development as an art and those as a science.
“I don’t like grey areas,” says Cranmore developer Jack Kilburn, who clearly leans science-wards.
“The backend you can move it around and play with it and it’s problem solving. It’s more logic based as opposed to going by feel.
“Once the backend code works you can then tinker with it and make it more efficient. With frontend, there’s an element of judgement and that doesn’t sit well with me.
“There’s no grey area with backend and that suits me. It works or it doesn’t.”
Jack joined Cranmore initially in 2022 on placement, returning full time in 2024 after securing a first in computer science at Queen’s University Belfast.
It wasn’t always clear to him that he’d move into software development, yet it was something he was surrounded by from a young age.
“I hadn’t originally planned to become a developer. I first got a taste of IT through school and did an ICT GCSE, then did software and digital technology A-Levels.
“Some of my family were in IT and I was surrounded by techy people. From a young age I was always tinkering with things, and I had an early iPod filled with songs by my uncle.
“Bit by bit, my interest of tech just kind of grew.”
Along with contributing to his interest in tech, the iPod also inspired Jack’s love of music, to the point where he “can’t survive a day” without his headphones.
“It’s mostly rap and country. My grandad listened to country, which is where that came from. I listen to a lot of UK rap – it’s interesting to hear different accents and stories than those just from the US.”
Specialising in C# and JavaScript using .NET and React, Jack tells us his main interest is solving new problems every day.
But when asked what he’s best at, Jack laughs as he says he’s “still trying to figure that out”.
“Object orientated backend stuff – that’s what I like. In my first module in uni, I took on a data driven project and realised that’s what I enjoy.”
And if that was not clear illustration enough of Jack’s commitment to seeing development through the lens of a science, his top tip for developers closes the deal.
“Learn how to debug,” he says. “There are debugging tools in developer environments now. You can go through your code line by line and see if your code and logic is working instantly. They didn’t teach that in uni and it makes your life so much easier.”