The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source The Kollected Kode Vicious (Interview)
Nov 13, 2020
George Neville-Neil, the mind behind the beloved Kode Vicious column, shares his journey through programming insights and humor. He discusses the art of curating essays that resonate with tech enthusiasts, and the importance of code readability amid debates like tabs versus spaces. Lifelong learning and understanding computer fundamentals are emphasized as keys to staying relevant in tech. Neville-Neil also shares his favorite programming languages and the exciting release of his new book, a compilation of his popular advice for coders.
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Code Vicious Origin
- George Neville-Neil became Code Vicious after being tasked with creating a columnist persona for ACM Queue magazine.
- The persona evolved from a Miss Manners style to a cranky programmer venting about work frustrations.
Balancing Crankiness and Usefulness
- Code Vicious blends George Neville-Neil's natural crankiness with helpful advice.
- This combination makes the column both entertaining and educational.
Knuth's Appreciation
- Donald Knuth, a renowned computer scientist, expressed his appreciation for Code Vicious to George Neville-Neil.
- Knuth even wrote a letter to Code Vicious and later provided the introduction for Neville-Neil's book.
