←back to thread

1070 points dondraper36 | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.001s | source
Show context
codingwagie ◴[] No.45069135[source]
I think this works in simple domains. After working in big tech for a while, I am still shocked by the required complexity. Even the simplest business problem may take a year to solve, and constantly break due to the astounding number of edge cases and scale.

Anyone proclaiming simplicity just hasnt worked at scale. Even rewrites that have a decade old code base to be inspired from, often fail due to the sheer amount of things to consider.

A classic, Chesterton's Fence:

"There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.”"

replies(44): >>45069141 #>>45069264 #>>45069348 #>>45069467 #>>45069470 #>>45069871 #>>45069911 #>>45069939 #>>45069969 #>>45070101 #>>45070127 #>>45070134 #>>45070480 #>>45070530 #>>45070586 #>>45070809 #>>45070968 #>>45070992 #>>45071431 #>>45071743 #>>45071971 #>>45072367 #>>45072414 #>>45072570 #>>45072634 #>>45072779 #>>45072875 #>>45072899 #>>45073114 #>>45073174 #>>45073183 #>>45073201 #>>45073291 #>>45073317 #>>45073516 #>>45073758 #>>45073768 #>>45073810 #>>45073812 #>>45073942 #>>45073964 #>>45074264 #>>45074642 #>>45080346 #
1. mhitza ◴[] No.45070101[source]
> Anyone proclaiming simplicity just hasnt worked at scale.

Most projects don't operate at scale. And before "at scale", simple, rewritable code will always evolve better, because it's less dense, and less spread out.

There is indeed a balance between the simplest code, and the gradual abstractions needed to maintain code.

I worked with startups, small and medium sized businesses, and with a larger US airline. Engineering complexity is through the roof, when it doesn't have to be. Not on any of the projects I've seen and worked on.

Now if you're an engineer in some mega corp, things could be very different, but you're talking about the 1% there. If not less.