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"Delete all code!" That should be the mantra!

Was watching some stuff from destroyallsoftware.com. Not entirely convinced. So I should cook up my own shit.

So here is how the argument goes:
There's quite some negativity in the term "legacy" software. Partly it may be the envy to software that runs on actual machines and is not that phantasm, that perfect first lines on a greenfield project until it gets messed up as it has to put up with all the real world messiness. But the negativity it deserves is actually for the code that we cannot get rid of. This ugly class or function that soaked all the complexity and functionality so it defies any positive change. And always when it appears on your screen, it irks you, enrages you, makes you punch the screen, because you can almost feel the distaste physically. - *That* is the definition of "legacy" in its true negativity. No software should be like that. On the contrary. Every line should be replaceable, dispensable, disposable. At the verge to deletable. Because you know: the best code is no code.

This is where my hatred of code could get productive: Delete all the wretched, loathsome stuff and replace it, with something that just sucks less and can be thrown away any time. Don't expect beauty or perfect design. It'll never finish.

Comments
  • 0
    I can't help but think in the GNU/HURD(le)
  • 1
    I don't think it's envy so much as the frustration of looking at a wall of undecipherable code with nobody to help you
  • 0
    @ShahriyarRulez Haven't encountered one without quirks and friction. - IDE and CLI wise. The latter I stay in most, but a perfect tool I've never seen.
    (One program, clipgrabber I think, I really liked. Intuitive UI and so, but I think it's only possible as long the features and functionality don't blow up.)
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