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How Software Companies Die (1995)

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Re: How Software Companies Die (1995)

#5

Post by losethos »

Linus was my kind of atheist -- industry, not academia. Industry picks C and not C++. I don't mind C++, though, but I like industry. I like Microsoft. Apple is not my people.

I glanced at Go, the language. Didn't bother to pay attention. Not really interested. I think they got arrogant. ADA is a case study in bloated language, so I'm told. They're really fucking-up C++, aren't they. Just stop! More is not better!

I've thought about my operating system and scaling. Everyone zombie-walks to the mindset of scaling worries. Scaling works both ways. Small enough and one name space. Small enough and 16-bit pointers -- hyperlinear. (I'm just saying it's neat. Mine is 64-bit pointers, however.)

I think of my OS like a C64 ROM that's 139,000 lines of code instead of 20,000.

I've lamented that if I had my chance it would grow and get fugly and need to be killed. There is something noble about not living forever.

----

God says...

your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.

19:11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.

20:1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

20:2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

----

In a small project, you should use shorter variable names.

Global variables are the right choice in an 1,000 line application program, of course! Don't be silly and snobby.

----

Pope's not my job.

No birth control might mean famine.

Birth rates are falling. The world is under God's plan.

God says...

they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Re: How Software Companies Die (1995)

#7

Post by naanalla »

hakaaaaak wrote: post #3
sid6376 wrote: post #2

Previous discussion on HN https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=552821

1435 days ago- that's almost 4 years. I wonder if one day in 2034 someone will post a "done that" link with a conversation over 10k days old?

The classics remain classic. Still wonder same about "The Mythical Man-Month" So true...

Re: How Software Companies Die (1995)

#8

Post by pasbesoin »

yuhong wrote: post #4

http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/45776/why-do-...

> closed as not constructive by Mark Trapp Sep 26 '11 at 8:16

I previously commented here on this in a slightly snarky fashion. I deleted that, but almost simultaneously, an upvote came through. (Sorry about that, whomever...)

So, I'm recommenting, but hopefully without the snark. For me, this aspect of "Programming" was a serious, career-level question at times. This comment is now OT with respect to the OP, I guess, but... then again, maybe it's not. Because... isn't this a serious, career level question for many programmers?

And, if so, where else would one discuss such things?

In some ways, the out and out coding can be easier. It's the "career", and the politics, that can be the biggest pain in the ass with regard to the job. Depending upon circumstances. (Healthy hive, or smoked, as it were.)

Re: How Software Companies Die (1995)

#10

Post by cookiecaper »

gdg92989 wrote: post #9

Other previous discussion. This one is 120 days ago http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4776844 Personally I don't see why this resonates so much with the HN community. Its a great example of the worst attitude to take to work every day.

Because it's kind of realistic. It is embellished a bit, of course, but it's true that programmers do not respond well to traditional management techniques, most especially when someone with no business whatsoever making technical calls presumes to do so (i.e. every business major who wants to feel important).

Programmers and businessmen have a difficult time understanding each other, is basically the crux of it. As a programmer and a businessman, I have to say I still have difficulty understanding most businessmen, and do not respect MBA degrees (not necessarily their holders).

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