[alexwestholm]

I think the answer to the question is "the right one." Arbitrary classifications of sophisticated skillsets attempt to reduce the decision to a rule of thumb. That's just not really possible.

Beyond that, I think the classifications are pretty off base. The idea that hackers build open source yet are rarely trained computer scientists is pretty far from reality, for one thing.

[cgislason]

Even if these classifications made sense, I think most programmers are some blend of the ideas behind each group. As a programmer I switch between all of these modes as necessary.

[togasystems]

To be a competent programmer, one must switch between all three modes. I would find it hard to work with someone who directly fit into only one of these classifications.