I was very, very recently accused of being a programmer because I write PHP scripts, fix/rewrite bad code, etc. First off, scripting is not programming. I am a problem-solver, not a programmer. Although I wrote complete programs in the past, the purpose was to solve problems, not to enjoy writing programs.

Don't get me wrong, I have varying levels of respect for different kinds of programmers. Here they are, in the order of my respect. Please be aware that I may miss some. After all, I am not a programmer.

1. Programmers who write at the binary level in a machine language monitor. These guys and gals KNOW how the machine works down to the most intimate detail.
2. Programmers who write in assembly language. Steve Gibson is my hero.
3. Programmers who write in interpreted languages such as C++.
4. Programmers who write in different forms of BASIC (although BASIC is an interpreted language, I'm grouping it separately on purpose).

So the next time you want to call me a programmer, just don't. Please don't.