In 1985, Peter Naur wrote a similar article presenting programming as theory building. In essence, a programmer primarily constructs a mental model of the problem, and its solution; secondarily writes code; and incidentally documents. Naur discusses how this view affects program life and modification, system development methods, and the professional status of programmers.

Naur, P. 1985. Programming as theory building. Microprocessing and Microprogramming 15, 5, 253--261. http://www.zafar.se/bkz/Articles/NaurProgrammingTheory