I've always loved working with data. As a programmer I have done many things, but when I get to so something that manipulates data that is the best. There is just something different even though the code itself isn't that much different.
I have never veen good with the visual things so that why I probably don't like that much working with user interfaces. It also includes the user which can always be unpredictable. Data is always data. There is no surprises with it. You get what you expect, clearly defined. You don't have to quess.
There is also always some structure. Sometimes you need to work a little bit to find that structure or make it work. But once you have it, it's easy to manipulate that data into any form you need.
I quess the fact that it's all structured and predictable is the thing that attracts me in that. It makes it easy to control and you get what you expect. The best part is that the end results are always more than the input values. There is the added value turning raw data into useful information.