The mistakes of 'code', 'hacker' and 'hacking'.

diatribe.txt

The mistakes of the words 'code', 'hacker' and 'hacking'
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As someone who habitually and professionally spends time writing computer programs and web sites using
a variety of programming languages, there are a few phrases that irk me as I feel that they poorly 
represent the joyful, creative experience that is creating systems within a computer. The majority of 
my issues are based around the associated semantics of the words used.
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'code' - A code is something written to conceal or hide away. it is something that is secret to be 
broken or discovered. Writing computer programs is primarily a means of expressions of ideas, 
instructions or intents. These instructions are increasingly written to be more and more legible to 
everybody not simply computers, codified they are not.
Alternative: 'script'
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'hack' - To 'hack' comes from the meaning to dismember or destroy, or they are a poor example of their 
skillset (e.g. in journalism). In the advent of digital crime to hack came to mean to break into or 
destroy some private or secret computer system. To gather togethr people to make something (often for 
the good of society) is not breaking or destroying, it's far more often a process of creation and 
experimentation.
Alternatives: 'program, create, experiment, art?'
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'hacker' - As above a 'hacker' is seen to be unprofessional, criminal or otherwise unsavory. This is 
not a pleasant way to talk about a creative, valuable and growing industry!
Alternatives: 'programmer, developer, craftsperson?'

Anders Fisher (andersfisher.com)