This is Dave. For those that don’t know, I am currently employed by DuPont Authentication as a software developer. Having a background in software development and writing code, I have a healthy appreciation for Jonathan Coulton’s song, “Code Monkey.” Click Here to listen/download.

I often consider myself a code monkey — particularly when looking at descriptions such as Wikipedia’s:

The term code monkey generally refers to a computer programmer or other person who writes computer code for a living. More specifically, it refers to a person only capable of grinding out code, but unable to perform the more intellectually complex tasks of software architecture, analysis, and design. In this sense, the term is considered to be mildly insulting, and is often applied to the most junior people on a programming team. “Code monkey” may also refer to a self-deprecating way of denying responsibility for a management decision, or of complaining about having to live with such decisions (e.g. “Don’t ask me why we need to write a compiler in COBOL, I’m just a code monkey.”).

Code monkey also refers to subordinate programmers who are required to produce large amounts of code. The type of code produced by those to whom this term is applied is usually simple and uninteresting. It is often used in a derogatory sense, but there are those who willingly apply this term to themselves—generally when they feel that their skills are being underutilized, and the work they do is suitable for a programmer with less skill or experience than their own. This is typified by the “I’m just a code monkey” usage referenced in the Jargon File.

Ironic self-deprecation by programmers who prefer to distance themselves from pointy-haired boss culture means that the term may in fact be one of approbation and in-group identification. In other words, sometimes the meaning can be completely reversed; it all depends on the tone and context.

I really do severely enjoy my job.  Fortunately, I do quite a bit more than grind out code, as I am also the one tasked to architect the final solution.

There were two reasons I wanted to write a post titled Code Monkey: 1) The tune is so catchy (remember, you clicked on the link above to listen), and 2) Jonathan Coulton also wrote the song for the end credits to the game Portal (see my previous post and allusion to a future post about the game ending).  That future post is still forthcoming, I needed this post as background — thanks for listening, er, reading.  Tina pointed out both, since the song is something to hear and my ramblings are something to read.