Tad Larsen wrote a great article for Directions Magazine yesterday, discussing  the two very distinct categories of GIS developers, that often get labelled the same thing: GIS Developer.

He mentions the GIS developer with a background in GIS, that has learned some aspects of programming, and the other kind, the developer with a background in Computing who has learned some aspects of GIS.

I fall into the second category, but get the feeling that there are many more who fall into the first. Either way, he makes a very valid point: There are very few GIS developers in this world that are experts in both fields. But realistically we are better off that way.

I liken it to going to a large supermarket to get your bread and vegetables. You will get bread and vegetables, but they'll be that little bit better if you get your bread from a bread shop and your vegetables from a grocer. What makes it interesting is if the bakery knows a bit about vegetables and then uses the grocer's knowledge expertise, resulting in a fantastic sandwich!

Thanks Tad, for a great article.