Programming is not art - just like hitting a stone with a chisel is not art - what we make, that can be art.
a) We can make something that is artistic like a game or a motion graphic - definitely art
b) We can make an algorithm that expresses a fundamental truth and lets you understand the way the world works in another way. That may not be art for the masses, because they lack the ability or desire to perceive the meaning.
For me, it's about the process, not the end result. If there are multiple ways to approach the problem and each of them is equally valid, then it's art. If there is one correct way dictated by the laws of physics, then it's engineering.
Programming is not art - just like hitting a stone with a chisel is not art - what we make, that can be art.
a) We can make something that is artistic like a game or a motion graphic - definitely art
b) We can make an algorithm that expresses a fundamental truth and lets you understand the way the world works in another way. That may not be art for the masses, because they lack the ability or desire to perceive the meaning.
For me, it's about the process, not the end result. If there are multiple ways to approach the problem and each of them is equally valid, then it's art. If there is one correct way dictated by the laws of physics, then it's engineering.
Programming most certainly is an art. If any programming is not art it's the programmer that isn't artistic or rather who is at fault.
That's not the best way to put it but it's one way anyway.