[guids]

This was going to by my question, is brute force a skill? Who is better off,

Y = person who can brute force a problem, and solve it 100% of the time but takes Z amount of time/effort to do so

X= person who can elegantly solve a problem quickly W% of the time, but gives up very quickly if problems arise

when does

Y * Z < X * W

and

Y * Z > X * W

(solve for all variables)

[yrgoldteeth]

I would say that brute force is absolutely a skill. Your point about developers Y and X is kind of interesting, though. I think both types of developers are important. I read an anecdote here or at reddit that mentioned a couple of coders that worked together, one who had the idea and a creative method of implementation and the other who enjoyed bludgeoning out the hardest, mind-numbing parts of the code that are required in a true finished product.

The trick is identifying who is who, and assigning tasks appropriately.