How does Star Wars relate to software?

Fluke Jaywalker

Six episodes, six lessons. Though George Lucas might not admit it, the "Star Wars" saga is all about the software industry. The parallels are as amazing as the movies themselves.

The story of Anakin Skywalker (later Darth Vader) is not just about good becoming evil, but is about the young rebel who challenges the policies of the management. However, as he keeps moving towards meddle management, he is assimilated and forces the same policies on the young ones.

Han Solo is the classic software dude - a mercenary. Will do anything for a flying mission. All the things he would hate to do at off-shore, he would not mind doing on an on-site assignment. Just as merceneries do what you want for money, the software professionals will be whatever you want them to be - mainframe guy or Java girl - as long as you are willing to pay and send them on-site.

Jabba, the Hutt, is the corporate that holds employees (like Han Solo) by means of a bond. Han Solo's side-kick Chewbacca is the excess baggage that comes with the top recruits. You recruit a senior guy and he brings along one of his cronies. You can't stand the crony, but you can't do anything about it. The only difference:

Chewbacca is competent.

Most software guys (despite their attitudinal similarity to mercenaries) are like the Jedi knights. In fact, the Jedi mind trick of making the other person listen to them is based on the software guys' assertive:

"It is not a bug, it is a feature".

Episode 4 (A New Hope) was inspired by the open source movement. George Lukas would hate to admit this, but it is obvious where he picked up his by-line from:

"May the source be with you".

I encourage you to think deeply (if it wouldn't hurt your brains) and ponder if "Star Wars" was about galaxy far, far away or if it represents something closer home.