I decided that, since programming is an art, we ought to be able to classify types of programmers. Here is a start; any additions gleefully accepted.
The Picasso programmer:
As a whole the system works, but each piece is a warped view of
reality.
The Jackson Pollack programmer:
Throws code at the system, trying to see what works.
The Georges Seurat programmer:
When you step back from the system, you can see the overall
pattern, but close up each piece is totally distinct from all
of the others. (Actually, this is a pretty good description
of OO design).
The Michalangelo programmer:
Has a grand, sweeping view of what the system should do, but
each piece is done in such meticulous detail that it takes
years to finish anything.