[roymurdock]

It's hard to compare which is more difficult.

Marketing is more of a soft skill - it takes relatively more creativity and a better understanding of human nature than programming languages. This isn't to say programming isn't a creative pursuit; it's just creativity bounded by logical constraints imposed by whatever language you're working in.

Programming is more of a hard skill - it takes years of studying and practicing the different languages and mastering the logical thought processes that make things tick.

So difficulty depends on what your natural talents are. If you're an intelligent, logical individual you might find coding easier. If you're an intelligent, creative individual you might find marketing easier.

I think the prevalence of UX/UI design has evolved from a need to have both spheres in order to build the best projects possible. It combines the human aspects of customer experience with the mechanical aspects of making shit work. Apple got it right and look where they are now.

[melindajb]

This: it all depends on who YOU are. I've met many a coder who cannot even conceive of how to promote the product, but will rip out an idea provided by someone else that we think is impossible; in a couple of hours in the middle of the night; with a twist that makes it insanely great. They marvel at the idea; the rest of us marvel at their technical skill. No one is "better" or "more intelligent." We're all just part of the team, each bringing our gifts to bear.