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Are software engineering “best practices” just developer preferences?

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Re: Are software engineering “best practices” just developer preferences?

#4
Steven Sinofsky gave a talk and said something to the effect of, we've been building roads, bridges and edifices for thousands of years. So, best practices and solved problems abound---and even then we still get it wrong sometimes. Whereas, software engineering is maybe 70 years old (generously)? So, there is much to learn and a lot of "baseline" knowledge that has yet to be established. I think it's a good way to think about things.

Re: Are software engineering “best practices” just developer preferences?

#5

I get your friend, and there's another point he can make: Imagine a world with self taught Civil Engineers.

To make the comparison fair, in that world civil engineers would also have the ability to change the laws of physics.

Re: Are software engineering “best practices” just developer preferences?

#6

I get your friend, and there's another point he can make: Imagine a world with self taught Civil Engineers.

Pretty much. IT as a field is a toddler. But it makes so many people happy we don't care it's still at the anal stage.

Maybe in a century techs and standards will stabilize.

Re: Are software engineering “best practices” just developer preferences?

#8
post #5

I get your friend, and there's another point he can make: Imagine a world with self taught Civil Engineers.

To make the comparison fair, in that world civil engineers would also have the ability to change the laws of physics.

And the bridge collapsing would usually not kill people but strip all their clothes.

Also you can start a bridge in your garage.

Re: Are software engineering “best practices” just developer preferences?

#9
I am all against standards and engineering boards defining what is right and what is wrong, but at the same time I also favor software developers being held civil and criminal responsibilities for the outcome of their work. It is pretty hard to have the second without the first, so here I am at a crossroads.

Re: Are software engineering “best practices” just developer preferences?

#10
> Are Software Engineering “best practices” just developer preferences?

Some are, some aren't. Some are good practices but the state of the art evolves and better practices are uncovered.

And it's really had to tell the differences. it's a young field.

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