Ask HN: Is writing code a requirement to be able to call someone technical?

1 points by gxs ↗ HN

3 comments

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No, but its quite likely someone with interest in technical things has at least experimented with computing and writing their own code.

Long ago I helped a fellow with his Apple2 sometimes, he was not a "power user" but was enjoying learning through repeated failure. He repaid the help with advice and effort on antenna and crossover design that still surpasses my understanding. very technical but not very computer literate.

Interesting.

My take on it is that things are complicated and specialized enough nowadays to warrant people specializing in technical things that aren't necessarily code.

For example, integrations and different system interactions can grow large and complex to require someone to design them and work on implementing them, without necessarily writing any code.

I ask the question because I've often found engineers tend to be condescending to people in these roles because they don't write code.

Someone who mends ships engines is technical. No coding required.