Programmers are most effective when they avoid writing code. They may realize the problem theyâ€re being asked to solve doesnâ€t need to be solved, that the client doesnâ€t actually want what theyâ€re asking for. They may know where to find reusable or re-editable code that solves their problem. They may cheat. But just when they are being their most productive, nobody says “Wow! You were just 100x more productive than if youâ€d done this the hard way.

via Why programmers are not paid in proportion to their productivity.