computer programming question

Couldnt do that....
It was a complicated mathematical problem that required the results of several other cells compared with a separate source of data....

Eventually I HAD to split it down to separate cell, because I just couldnt do the whole thing in one.
It was an evolution problem, I was learning on the job at the time, and certain functions were not aware to me....

Things changed, and as the results I were producing were furthering the abilities of our engineers, more complicated problems were presented.
These were the early days of Communication abilities between HVAC Plant and remote PC's, having certain results at your fingertips at your desk that DIDNT require a site visit were all new to this firm....
I was developing site diagnostic software, although at the time, I didnt realise that.
The exact problem I was working on was the ability to communicate with Plant, over-ride a valve control, open or shut that valve, and compare the results "In real time".....remotely....
This was absolutely unheard of at the time, previously it had been one engineer on site opening and closing the valve by hand?....over-riding the control schematics were "Impossible" as that would have created alarm situations, and whole plant shut down, or required re-writing the whole schematic with a temp program, which before I started doing that remotely, required a hard-link on site, as "Downloading" an "Uploading" over Phone line pre-internet was a hell visit with frayed nerves... you could never rely on a whole download with no interruptions....
I developed the ability to re-write part of the schematic in Real Time whilst in remote contact with the plant, without having to download the whole program....
This had previously required site visits organised, n some cases required a days journey overnight accommodation and three days to get results...
The saving in man management were enough to totally reorganise how the firm operated, and ensured my budget got rubber stamped... who knew what I would do next?....

As Always, at that time, I dont/didnt know everything, but what I dont know can be written on the back of a postage stamp and aint worth knowing, by the time I have finished.....
Once I start something, I tend to absorb info like a sponge?....

My Job description was as fluid as my own abilities, I started as a pure site monitor, which was a new position anyway, but moved from Monitoring to Programming, to Development, to research and development, to just my Name being used as its own job description because no one knew exactly what I was supposed to be there for in the first place but if you have a problem ask Me....

As Software became more intelligent, the whole lot changed to Windows based, I helped develop the program that ran in Windows, and then had a complete exhaustion based breakdown and was told to go take a holiday.....two month, as I had not taken holiday for a while...
When I returned there were two other people doing my job, I was asked to be Junior Management...
That didnt end well.
I was early 20's, and didnt have management abilities?....
I needed help with being management, and that prevented me from doing what I wanted to do, which was being "Taters deep" in a problem with no distractions....
Six months later, in a whole company reorganization that was a move to larger premises, we parted ways, that was the last time I did programming as an In-House programmer.....
I like to think that as I was in there doing stuff that required communications abilities my work was part of the reason the thinking behind the idea of the first Internet was developed... and when Internet became available, it did change the way we did things... and that helped develop the changes that bought us the current "Broadband" internet rather than "Dial up"....
Being able to be "Permanently connected" didnt half change how we communicated with remote sites.

I went back to my old career in Public House work, bar and cellar, worked my way up the chain, and eventually got Management position again, but that was MY choice this time, and I was better prepared for Management....
Life experience has taught me Kind words go much further than criticism?...

During that time, I also kept in with Transport, and furthered my abilities with getting bigger licences (Class One as it was, C+E modern equivalent) and kept that as a possible alternative trade....
I have swapped between the two on frequent occasions as different positions became available since...
However, in the current climate, Management of a Public house is not something I wish to pursue these days?....

back on Topic
Can I suggest that this computer programmer under discussion should "keep it real" and have a REAL problem with Translation that requires several days of investigation..........
Burning the Midnight Oil, and a spell almost delirious with "altered reality" caused by overdose of Coffee caffeine and pro-Plus whilst short on sleep is something that all programmers will recognise, and the humour that causes may be a welcome part in this Book?.....

Just a suggestion?....