Name: Anonymous 2007-08-11 7:04 ID:UAlc4UsS
I was doing some thinking last night, and I came to the conclusion that there is but one truly serious problem in software development, and that is the question of suicide.
The software developer is trapped in a futile search for meaning and clarity in a world of imperfect tools and techniques. Lest he is an arrogant fool, he knows that his work is imperfect. His code will surely contain bugs, security vulnerabilities will be found, holes will appear, and his system will bend and eventually break.
He knows that one day his creation will no longer resemble the pristine art form that he had envisioned. In the beginning, his creation is analogous to DaVinci's Last Supper, as he boldly experiments with new mediums that distinguish his piece from the rest. But while his creation is beautiful, it is not durable. Over the years, layers of patches will be applied in an attempt to restore the crumbling masterpiece. But those who attempt to restore the piece will not be DaVincis, will not share his vision, and eventually little of the original creation will be left.
He is enlightened to the fact that any non-trivial software system, no matter how well designed, is nothing more than a tenuously constructed scaffolding. Yet he ventures forth anyways, armed with the programmatic equivalents of crazy glue, duct tape, and cheap hacks mixed with glitter. He is much like Sisyphus in his quest, pushing his rock up the mountain, only to watch it roll down again for eternity. Faced with the realization of the absurdity of his situation, what should he do?
The software developer is trapped in a futile search for meaning and clarity in a world of imperfect tools and techniques. Lest he is an arrogant fool, he knows that his work is imperfect. His code will surely contain bugs, security vulnerabilities will be found, holes will appear, and his system will bend and eventually break.
He knows that one day his creation will no longer resemble the pristine art form that he had envisioned. In the beginning, his creation is analogous to DaVinci's Last Supper, as he boldly experiments with new mediums that distinguish his piece from the rest. But while his creation is beautiful, it is not durable. Over the years, layers of patches will be applied in an attempt to restore the crumbling masterpiece. But those who attempt to restore the piece will not be DaVincis, will not share his vision, and eventually little of the original creation will be left.
He is enlightened to the fact that any non-trivial software system, no matter how well designed, is nothing more than a tenuously constructed scaffolding. Yet he ventures forth anyways, armed with the programmatic equivalents of crazy glue, duct tape, and cheap hacks mixed with glitter. He is much like Sisyphus in his quest, pushing his rock up the mountain, only to watch it roll down again for eternity. Faced with the realization of the absurdity of his situation, what should he do?