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Software development topics I've changed my mind on

(chriskiehl.com)
873 points belter | 1 comments | 05 Feb 25 09:50 UTC | HN request time: 0.201s | source
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pgsandstrom ◴[05 Feb 25 11:34 UTC] No.42947068[source]▶
> Most programming should be done long before a single line of code is written

I'd rephrase this to something like: Most programming should be done before 5% of the code is written. Because "no plan survives contact with the enemy". I often develop a plan, work for just a tiny bit, and realize some new constraints. It's after that point that you should construct your grand battle plan.

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1. The_Colonel ◴[05 Feb 25 13:41 UTC] No.42948334[source]▶
I've made an opposite progression from the op. I was a strong believer of upfront design, but now value iterative approach as you do.

For the first try, hack together something working, you'll learn things along the way, validate/disprove your assumptions. Iterating on this will often bring you to a good solution. Sometimes you find out that your current approach is untenable, go back to the whiteboard and figure out something different.