My kid could code that

If you believe some major tool tools vendors, programming is a thing of the past and computing is as effortless as riding a bike

"Cool stuff" is a great way to sell developer tools. Compared to a graphically rich, AJAX-enabled mashup, a well-designed, properly normalized relational database schema that accurately models a business process isn't all that sexy. Neither is interapplication middleware that correctly implements security checks and limits as determined by Sarbanes-Oxley and HIPAA regulations. And building a consistent, well-documented, refactorable code base that observes appropriate design patterns and allows regular maintenance and expansion while minimizing business risk is downright boring.

Unfortunately, however, these are the issues and requirements that dominate real-world application development -- not AJAX hand-waving or RIA smoke and mirrors.

Web 2.0 won't spell the death of software engineers any more than the "check engine" light in your modern, highly computerized sedan did away with auto mechanics. What the "check engine" light does mean, however, is that you can no longer enter the workforce with two semesters of high school auto shop and expect to tinker on cars.

Likewise, it's time to put to rest this idea that we can ship our application development to China, hand it off to high school kids, or let business managers take care of it in their spare time, and still get quality software. Giving "casual developers" free reign to run amok among critical business systems is a recipe for disaster, no matter how good they are at building Facebook widgets.

For all of Todd Fast's hype and bluster, "cool stuff" isn't what runs the real world. Good engineering is -- and I think he knows it. When he's ready to put down his toys, I encourage him to take a seat back at the grown-ups' table.