"Hello World"

For any programmer, read "aged programmer", these simple words are most often the first to be dictated and read back when beginning anything new. It's a natural and well ingrained ritual that when invoked plants a flag at the base of the mountain, knowing well that there is perhaps a long and difficult journey ahead.

I never thought of how often I revert back to its use until the other day when a younger coworker was watching over my shoulder as I coded something up to test it out. Naturally I leaned upon the familiar use of this mantra and upon invoking it he uttered ever so slightly, "old school...".

"Old school" I thought, "really?". Well that may be, but why do I do it? Why is it that every time I start something new to I revert to this familiar and ritualistic practice?

It's an interesting statement really, uttering "Hello World". It is:

• a first breath - I am born


• a clear objective - concise, complete and achievable


• a greeting - nanu nanu


• a statement - I am here


• a command - technology, bend to my will


• an accomplishment - I made this happen

While certainly applicable to the world of programming... it only seems fitting for such a tactile objective to be utilized in all facets of life, and for me to begin with this.