Re:How terrible code gets written by sane people
by dang on Sunday February 19, 2017 @11:44AM
(#13680511)
> This is a fucking arrogant article.
Please don't do this here. Even if you're right, it steers discussion in a ranty direction.
Re:How terrible code gets written by sane people
by lettersdigits on Sunday February 19, 2017 @11:26AM
(#13680420)
> The best code is the code that is easiest to manipulate and modify
this great (IMO) article comes to mind: http://programmingisterrible.com/post/139222674273/write-cod... :
"Write code that is easy to delete, not easy to extend"
Re:How terrible code gets written by sane people
by robnagler on Sunday February 19, 2017 @12:34PM
(#13680774)
Excellent article, thanks.
Re:How terrible code gets written by sane people
by jlg23 on Sunday February 19, 2017 @11:39AM
(#13680480)
> To come into someone else's codebase that has umpteen number of iterations and tough business realities like trying to make money, and proclaiming that it's terrible code and how he would fix it, is delusional and self-aggrandizing.
And yet that is exactly the reality one faces in such projects (because the only valid code metric is "WTFs/minute" [1]. Point is, I've never heard anybody complaining about arrogance until now - usually the devs are very well aware where and how their code sucks and they usually are overly apologetic even though I understand the constraints the code was written under (some of which you described).
Most production code needs to be revamped every few years because the subsequent unforeseen functionalities that was forced by product managers and customers. That code is usually going against the grain of the original code but you can't blame the original designers because it was never spec'ed out. The best code is the code that is easiest to manipulate and modify, but even then it gets old and needs a rewrite. There's nothing wrong with that, except thinking you can comment on the shitty code and thinking your above it and how you would never let it happen.