[jkahn]

I think you're much closer to a programmer than a layman that programs.

The straw man about reducing the amount of bad code in the world is garbage. Just code. If you're getting a benefit from it - or hell, if you just enjoy it - do it. You have nothing to apologize for.

The whole elitist concept of only sanctioned programmers coding is just arrogant. Even the best programmers wrote awful code before they were great. Doesn't mean they shouldn't have kept it up.

[nollidge]

It's like trying to cut down on the amount of bad writing in the world. Sure, I guess aesthetically it'd be nice if I never had to look at any bad writing. But bad writing is part of the process of becoming a good writer, so there'd ultimately be less good writing out there.