I could see someone who only programs for work or school becoming a competent developer, and a good employee.
So, do you have to program for joy to not be a bad developer? No. But if you don't love what you're doing, it's unlikely you'll ever be great. People who are the best at anything reached that point through a combination of natural talent and vast amounts of work. Chris Broderick ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkpZ645ztl0 ) wasn't born this way... when everyone else was hanging out with high school buddies or going to college, he had a guitar in his hands 4-8 hours a day. Loving what you do is more powerful than desiring the rewards. If you love what you do, learning to do it better can feel effortless.
On the other hand, having a passion for a topic to the extent that it consumes your work and personal time isn't always a good thing. When you do it in lieu of things friends, a romantic life, spending time with your children or simply resting your mind, you may regret that later on.
So, do you have to program for joy to not be a bad developer? No. But if you don't love what you're doing, it's unlikely you'll ever be great. People who are the best at anything reached that point through a combination of natural talent and vast amounts of work. Chris Broderick ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkpZ645ztl0 ) wasn't born this way... when everyone else was hanging out with high school buddies or going to college, he had a guitar in his hands 4-8 hours a day. Loving what you do is more powerful than desiring the rewards. If you love what you do, learning to do it better can feel effortless.
On the other hand, having a passion for a topic to the extent that it consumes your work and personal time isn't always a good thing. When you do it in lieu of things friends, a romantic life, spending time with your children or simply resting your mind, you may regret that later on.