Enlistee Coders

The privates and corporals in an ArmyOfProgrammers; what the vast majority of programmers start out as, and what many remain throughout their careers.

The typical enlistee coder knows a single programming language (historically, this was most often COBOL or some Basic dialect; more recently, VisualBasic and JavaLanguage are common), has little or no formal training and limited experience, and is unfamiliar with even the most basic existing algorithms or idioms. While some EnlisteeCoders are quite talented, most are LessAbleProgrammers who have no interest in programming beyond their next paycheck. Even the best generally start out as semi-skilled labor, and are treated as such by management.

So, does this mean that learning 30 or so different languages before entering the workforce is like OfficerCandidateSchool?? -- JonathanTang

I suppose. However, just as in the military, incompetent cadets are more common than competent ones, and the rare maverick who rises up through the ranks is often better than a 'genius' who is fresh out of the Academy. - JayOsako, who doesn't really know anything about the military from personal experience