When Your Code Gets Critiqued by Someone Who Doesn’t Code!
Ah, the joys of being a programmer in a world where everyone’s a critic. You’ve spent hours, days, maybe even weeks crafting the perfect piece of code. It’s elegant, efficient, and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. And then, out of nowhere, someone who wouldn’t know a for-loop from a fruit loop decides to chime in with their “expert” opinion. Sound familiar? Buckle up, fellow code slingers, because we’re about to dive into the wild world of non-coder critiques.
The Classic “It Doesn’t Look That Hard” Scenario
When Your Masterpiece is “Just Typing”
Picture this: You’ve just finished a complex React component that dynamically renders user data, handles state management like a boss, and even has some nifty animations. You’re feeling pretty good about yourself, right? Then along comes Bob from accounting.
“Oh, is that what you’ve been working on all week? It doesn’t look that hard. It’s just a bunch of typing, right?”
I once had a similar experience when I proudly showed off a Python script I’d written to automate our company’s reporting process. The response? “Couldn’t you have just used Excel?”
Sure, Bob. And the Mona Lisa is just some lady smiling. No big deal.
How to Handle It
When faced with this kind of critique, take a deep breath. Remember, they’re not trying to belittle your work (usually). They simply don’t understand the complexity behind what they’re seeing. This is a perfect opportunity for a little education.
Try saying something like, “You’re right, it might not look like much on the surface. But behind this interface is a complex system that’s processing data in milliseconds. Want me to show you how it works?”
Sometimes, a little peek behind the curtain can turn a critic into an enthusiastic supporter. And who knows? Maybe Bob from accounting will be so impressed he’ll want to learn to code himself!
The “My Nephew Could Do That” Conundrum
When Everyone’s a Coding Prodigy (Except You)
We’ve all been there. You’re in a meeting, presenting the new website you’ve built using the latest in web technologies. You’ve got your React components, your Next.js server-side rendering, maybe even some fancy GraphQL queries. You’re feeling pretty good about your work.
Then Karen from HR pipes up: “Oh, that looks nice. My nephew could probably do something like that. He’s really good with computers.”
Ah yes, Karen’s nephew. The wunderkind who can apparently code circles around seasoned professionals because he once made a website for his Minecraft server.
The Reality Check
Here’s the thing: Karen’s nephew probably is good with computers. He might even know some HTML and CSS. But there’s a world of difference between tweaking a WordPress theme and building a scalable, maintainable web application from scratch.
I remember when I first started learning to code, I thought I was hot stuff because I could center a div (sometimes). It wasn’t until I got my first real development job that I realized how much I didn’t know. And you know what? Over a decade later, I’m still learning every day.
How to Respond
Instead of getting defensive (tempting as it may be), try turning this into a positive conversation. You could say something like, “That’s great that your nephew is interested in coding! It’s such a rewarding field. Has he thought about pursuing it as a career?”
This approach accomplishes two things: it acknowledges the compliment (because let’s face it, Karen probably meant it as one), and it subtly reinforces that what you do is, in fact, a professional skill.
The “Can’t You Just…” Requests
When Simple Requests Aren’t So Simple
This is perhaps the most common form of non-coder critique, and it usually comes in the form of a request. You know the ones I’m talking about:
“Can’t you just add a button that does everything automatically?” “Why don’t you just make it work on all devices?” “Can’t you just make it load faster?”
Ah, the magical world of “just.” Where complex problems have simple solutions, and programmers are wizards who can conjure fully-formed features out of thin air with a wave of their keyboard.
The Reality of “Just”
What non-coders often don’t realize is that behind every “just” is a mountain of work. That “simple” button might require rewriting half the codebase. Making it work on all devices? Sure, let me just quickly master every mobile operating system ever created. And making it load faster? Well, that’s a never-ending quest that keeps performance engineers employed for life.
I once had a project manager ask me to “just add a small feature” to an app I’d built. The feature? Oh, nothing major. Just facial recognition capabilities. You know, that thing that tech giants spend millions of dollars and years developing. No biggie.
Handling the “Just” Requests
When faced with a “just” request, it’s important to be patient and educational. Here’s an approach I’ve found effective:
“I appreciate the suggestion! Adding that feature would actually involve quite a bit of work behind the scenes. Let me break down what it would entail…”
Then, give them a high-level overview of the steps involved. You don’t need to get too technical, but help them understand that what looks simple on the surface often has complex underpinnings.
The Design Critique
When Functionality Meets Fashion
Picture this: You’ve just finished building a robust, efficient backend system. It’s a thing of beauty, with clean code, excellent performance, and rock-solid security. You’re showcasing it to the team, walking them through the API endpoints and data flow.
And then someone says, “The buttons should be blue, not green.”
Cue the internal scream.
The Aesthetics vs. Functionality Debate
Now, don’t get me wrong. Design is important. User experience can make or break an application. But there’s a time and a place for design discussions, and it’s usually not in the middle of a backend architecture review.
I once spent weeks optimizing a complex data processing pipeline, reducing run times from hours to minutes. When I presented it to the stakeholders, the main feedback I got was, “Can we change the font in the output report?”
Finding the Middle Ground
In these situations, it’s important to acknowledge the feedback while also steering the conversation back to the relevant topics. You might say something like:
“Thanks for the design input! We’ll definitely consider that when we move to the UI phase. For now, I’d love to get your thoughts on the system’s functionality. Did you notice how much faster it’s processing the data?”
This approach validates their input while gently reminding them of the current focus. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to highlight the aspects of your work that you want them to notice.
The “I Could Learn to Code in a Weekend” Declaration
When Dunning-Kruger Meets Programming
We’ve all met this person. Maybe it’s at a party, or a family gathering, or even in a professional setting. You mention that you’re a programmer, and they hit you with the classic:
“Oh, coding? I’ve been thinking about learning that. I could probably pick it up in a weekend.”
Right. And I could probably learn brain surgery by watching a few YouTube videos. Easy peasy.
The Reality of Learning to Code
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m all for people learning to code. Heck, I’m a self-taught developer myself. But the idea that you can become proficient in programming in a matter of days is, well, let’s just say it’s optimistic.
I remember when I first started learning. I thought I’d be building the next Facebook in no time. Reality check: it took me months just to feel comfortable with the basics, and years to consider myself truly proficient. And you know what? I’m still learning every single day.
How to Respond
When faced with this kind of statement, it’s important to be encouraging without being dismissive. You could try something like:
“That’s awesome that you’re interested in coding! It’s a fantastic skill to learn. If you’re serious about it, I’d be happy to recommend some resources to get you started. Just keep in mind that like any valuable skill, it takes time and practice to master.”
This approach validates their interest while also setting realistic expectations. Who knows? Maybe they’ll take you up on the offer and discover a new passion. And if not, at least they might gain a better appreciation for what you do.
Conclusion
Dealing with critiques from non-coders can be frustrating, but it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to educate, to build bridges between the technical and non-technical worlds, and sometimes even to see your own work from a different perspective.
Remember, most of the time, these critiques and comments come from a place of curiosity or an attempt to engage with what you do. By responding with patience and a willingness to explain (in non-technical terms), you’re not just defending your work – you’re advocating for the entire field of programming.
So the next time someone tells you to “just” add a feature, or suggests their nephew could do your job, take a deep breath. Smile. And then dazzle them with your explanation of why programming is both harder and more amazing than they ever imagined.
Who knows? You might just inspire the next generation of coders. Or at the very least, you might get Bob from accounting to stop referring to your job as “playing with computers all day.”
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go center a div. It shouldn’t take more than a weekend, right?