[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[Author Index (this month)][Thread Index (this month)][Top of Archive]

Re: Programming / scripting languages in tech-writing

Subject: Re: Programming / scripting languages in tech-writing
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 07 May 2002 13:55:53 -0300


Ed Gregory wrote:

At the STC conference here in Nashville yesterday, during a panel discussion
on job market trends and skills, there seemed to be solid agreement that one
skill combination that remains in strong demand is the writer/programmer.
The desired language(s): C, C++, C#.

Personally, I'd be a little cautious about learning C# unless it was used on a job-site. There's a demand now, true enough. But, even with Microsoft's clout, I wonder whether the demand will last.

As for other "languages" that tech writers need: HTML and Javascript, unless
everything you plan to do is for hardcopy output. Beyond that, Visual Basic
for the previously mentioned Word (and other MS Office) automation. If you
want to get heavily into Web delivery systems, PHP, SQL, MySQL, ASP, and
*shudder* XML. The panel generally agreed that learning XML, other than a
basic overview, is wasted unless you are in an organization that is
currently moving to XML.

If you don't mind me asking, why (joking aside) the shudder over XML? Also, what's the reason for thinking that learning XML is wasted? I'm curious.

--
Bruce Byfield 604.421.7177 bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com

"'We do right when the cost is bearable but morality flourishes among those who won't suffer by it."
- George Turner, "The Sea and Summer"




^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Free copy of ARTS PDF Tools when you register for the PDF
Conference by April 30. Leading-Edge Practices for Enterprise
& Government, June 3-5, Bethesda,MD. www.PDFConference.com

Buy RoboHelp Office in May and you'll save $100 with our mail-in rebate.
Or switch from Doc-to-Help or ForeHelp to RoboHelp Office for only $499.
Get the help authoring tool PC magazine recently awarded a perfect score!
Go to http://www.ehelp.com/techwr
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.


Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: Programming / scripting languages in tech-writing: From: Ed Gregory

Previous by Author: Re: Programming / scripting languages in tech-writing
Next by Author: Re: Programming / scripting languages in tech-writing
Previous by Thread: RE: Programming / scripting languages in tech-writing
Next by Thread: RE: Programming / scripting languages in tech-writing

[Top of Archive] | [Author Index (this month)] | [Thread Index (this month)]

What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:

Sponsored Ads