[rampage101]

Fair point about producing something. But why is wrong to say somebody is a great programmer?

Seems most of these articles about programming is a no skill profession are usually coming from somebody promoting a 3-month boot camp.

[languagewars]

There are plenty of studies on telling children they are naturally talented, etc and getting them to stop doing the activity for fear of losing evidence of this trait. Many of the "best programmers" I worked with were unproductive and got lost on things that were irrelevant. Engineers I would pick from my old groups tend not to be recognized as great and complemented on how well and timely they put everything together, with an undertone that the greatest programmer could have also done it if only he had time.

As far as submarines stories, I have no idea..