Live data from Hacker News

It’s time to stop using Subversion

altdevblogaday.org

111–112 of 112 posts

Re: It’s time to stop using Subversion

#111
post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> They all have [their] merits That is a poisonous meme which should be fought tooth and nail. It basically follows the structure of the fallacy of grey¹: "every tool has qualities, therefore they're all fine". It doesn't account for the fact that some tools dominate others. Meaning, they are demonstrably better in every way for every foreseeable usage. But we tend to cling to our old ways, instead of just saying "oo…

Who made you the authority of what is "better"? Decisions to use tools comes from context, and there is nothing wrong with choosing a tool that fits the job. Are people who say that "every tool has qualities, therefore they're all fine" always trying to say that it does not matter what tool you use? If they are worth their salt, they will choose tool A if tool A works and is "better" than B, but will not assume B is…

First, I agree 100% with what you just wrote. To the letter, at least.

Now it doesn't mean we shouldn't be weary of sentences like "right tool for the job", "every tools has qualities". While they are correct generalities, they are often used to justify not to change habits: "We'll use C++. Don't say that, every tools have qualities. Besides, this is a big project. Languages are just tools, and you better use one that fits the job".

You could try to go against this trend: "But, because it's big doesn't mean we have to use C++. It doesn't mean you have to use only one language. It doesn't mean you have to squeeze every cycle out of your CPU. What about C + Lua? Simplicity by default, and speed where you need it".

But if you have to overcome fear of changing one's habits, this won't be enough.

Also, you seem to think that no tool dominates another. With that I disagree. Let's start with a contrived example: Lisp vs Blub, where Blub is Lisp without macros. I think it's reasonable to say that Lisp dominates Blub. A similar reasoning led me to think that ML dominates Java and C#[1] (at least if I pretend libraries don't exist and programmers know ML).

Sure, it hurts feelings to say to someone that his favourite tool is strictly worse than some other tool. But it doesn't make it wrong.

[1]: http://www.loup-vaillant.fr/articles/classes-suck

Re: It’s time to stop using Subversion

#112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

well obviously, but the point is in a vaccuum, git as a tool appears to be superior in every way that matters.

Most people neither live nor work in a vacuum. You come from the "ya, well..." camp it would seem? Supremely confident that your choices are the correct way to do things, but when someone points out a valid difference, your answer begins with "Ya, well...". I see this all the time from brash young superstars.

ya, well, factors external to the merits of the two tools is irrelevant to the question I intended to pose. My question could have been worded better, sorry for the confusion. loup-vaillant's explanation is clearer. ;)
Post reply on HN