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Why writing software is not like engineering (2008)

cs.usfca.edu

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Re: Why writing software is not like engineering (2008)

#61
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's silly to standardise on a technology. Standardise on the output definitions: accessibility, performance, ergonomics, compatibility. In construction a standard isn't "use this make of hammer". It's "achieve this effect".

The standard in building is: “install this type of power outlet here”. Or “install power cables between a and x, capable of carrying a”. We have somewhat similar standards in software development. Like, “build this type of API here, capable of handling this type of data model”. The issue comes when I can buy that API from IBM and then can’t transfer it to Netcompany next year because they don’t agree on how to implem…

> I can have a supplier hired to hand the electric installations on 300 buildings at a hospital, who go bankrupt half way through, and then I can painless hire a new contractor to finish up.

You can hire different people to work on code too. There's no one person per repo rule.

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