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The Grug Brained Developer (2022)

(grugbrain.dev)
1087 points smartmic | 5 comments | 17 Jun 25 20:24 UTC | HN request time: 1.489s | source
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osigurdson ◴[18 Jun 25 13:45 UTC] No.44309840[source]▶
While I agree that complexity is bad the fact that we don't really have a shared understanding of what complexity is doesn't help. At worst, it can be just another synonym for "bad" that passes through the mental firewall without detection. For instance is having multiple files in a project "complex"? If I am unfamiliar with a codebase is it "complex" and I therefore have to re-write it?
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recursivedoubts ◴[18 Jun 25 13:52 UTC] No.44309892[source]▶
Part of the problem with complexity is that it is very easy for engineers to justify. Yes, there is an important distinction between necessary and accidental complexity, but, to take a point from the essay, even necessary complexity can be reduced by saying "no" to features.

This is why I treat "complexity bad" as a mantra to keep me in the right mindset when programming. Complexity bad. Even necessary complexity. We may have to deal with it, but, like fire, it's still dangerous.

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jbreckmckye ◴[18 Jun 25 15:50 UTC] No.44310947[source]▶
What exactly is complexity?

How do I recognise it?

When do I tell whether something is complex or I am just not very familiar with it?

replies(1): >>44311003 #
1. recursivedoubts ◴[18 Jun 25 15:57 UTC] No.44311003[source]▶
really hard questions

but complexity bad

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2. osigurdson ◴[18 Jun 25 18:31 UTC] No.44312234[source]▶
If Grug sees new code base, sometime Grug get anxiety about learning new code. What in it for Grug? Says Grug. Rather start new project and say "complexity bad" to other Grugs. If other Grug or big brain disagree, create Grug tribe - show bible to other Grugs and big brains. Must convert to Grug way or leave team. Complexity bad.
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3. jbreckmckye ◴[18 Jun 25 18:50 UTC] No.44312355[source]▶
Grog is not Grug. Grog talk like Grug, walk like Grug, obey rituals of simplicity worship like Grug. But Grog secretly just mean: anything he didn't invent, not worth learning, anything not making his resume-weave, not worth doing. So Grog is always saying, boo! complexity here! rewrite time!!
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4. osigurdson ◴[18 Jun 25 19:05 UTC] No.44312474{3}[source]▶
Grug like say - No True Grugsman. Only True Grug pure Grug.
5. drewhk ◴[18 Jun 25 19:06 UTC] No.44312485[source]▶
Grug hurt itself in its confusion!