> Programming is different from art or writing in that nobody gives a fuck about the code, only the results

Nobody except the programmers, I guess. Quite a few of us care about the craft

I guess the same can be said about plumbing and HVAC installations.

I think art is different from the rest in that it lost utilitarian value. In other words, Art is degenerative by definition.

> I guess the same can be said about plumbing and HVAC installations.

I feel like both of those have fewer paths to a successful end-product, and minor issues in the final product are way more visible to the users thereof.

We tend to have a pretty high tolerance for minor software "quirks", unlike if the hot water system or the drains start acting up...

I’m confused.

Is your point that programmers are generally worse than plumbers and HVAC installers? People except software to be trash and barely usable, but have higher expectations for plumbing and HVAC?