Comments on: The urge to rewrite software http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/ ActiveCampaign Development Blog - PHP, MySQL, AJAX, Linux, Programming & More... Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:29:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Jason http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-67252 Jason Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:19:27 +0000 http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-67252 "I consider re-writing software (a.k.a. refactoring) as the equivalent of simplifying equations in mathematics" I think that is a great way to put it.. Software must evolve over time. The trick is maintaining a balance with getting results and continual refactoring. “I consider re-writing software (a.k.a. refactoring) as the equivalent of simplifying equations in mathematics”

I think that is a great way to put it.. Software must evolve over time. The trick is maintaining a balance with getting results and continual refactoring.

]]> By: Mike http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-67222 Mike Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:14:26 +0000 http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-67222 I consider re-writing software (a.k.a. refactoring) as the equivalent of simplifying equations in mathematics. IMHO, those who don't habitually refactor will never produce great software. For years I've been using the fantastic IntelliJ IDEA IDE, which makes refactoring much less time consuming. I consider re-writing software (a.k.a. refactoring) as the equivalent of simplifying equations in mathematics. IMHO, those who don’t habitually refactor will never produce great software.

For years I’ve been using the fantastic IntelliJ IDEA IDE, which makes refactoring much less time consuming.

]]> By: David http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-58639 David Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:49:32 +0000 http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-58639 Thanks very much for your comment, Greg. I definitely agree that rewrites should be kept to a minimum, otherwise nothing will ever be finished! You have to come to a point where what you have done is good enough, even though it will never be perfect. But I think there is also a lot of value in knowing when the investment in re-writing will result in enough improvement to be worth it. Like Peter says, it amounts to feeling out whether you have reached critical mass in terms of moving beyond the original guiding principles of the project. Thanks very much for your comment, Greg. I definitely agree that rewrites should be kept to a minimum, otherwise nothing will ever be finished! You have to come to a point where what you have done is good enough, even though it will never be perfect.

But I think there is also a lot of value in knowing when the investment in re-writing will result in enough improvement to be worth it. Like Peter says, it amounts to feeling out whether you have reached critical mass in terms of moving beyond the original guiding principles of the project.

]]> By: Peter http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-58616 Peter Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:56:16 +0000 http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-58616 I notice our design patterns change sometimes; what once seemed like a good idea now no longer does. It's about that time when a rewrite rears its head, and generally for good reason. Once you've moved past a certain idea, it becomes hard to design with it. So you set about changing it, and then, well, you figure you might as well change it everywhere. I notice our design patterns change sometimes; what once seemed like a good idea now no longer does. It’s about that time when a rewrite rears its head, and generally for good reason. Once you’ve moved past a certain idea, it becomes hard to design with it. So you set about changing it, and then, well, you figure you might as well change it everywhere.

]]> By: Greg Cushing http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-58542 Greg Cushing Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:59:08 +0000 http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2008/03/28/the-urge-to-rewrite-software/#comment-58542 As a developer myself, I find myself rewriting code on a whim as well. Usually though there are only so many times you can do that before you end up with too much feature creep or you end up with something that was better in previous versions. Projects vary and sometimes you can easily rewrite a header or something. I find most code I write is nice to have in a modular format. IE UI handled only 1 one way then functions and classes handled another. Combine effective version control techniques and good programming practices and even a newer development can stay above the water level. Nothing worse than rewriting on a dead line! I know this is probably a stumble upon ad. However there defiantly are tips to keep your productivity up and having the ability to merge only the best iterations of your code! As a developer myself, I find myself rewriting code on a whim as well. Usually though there are only so many times you can do that before you end up with too much feature creep or you end up with something that was better in previous versions. Projects vary and sometimes you can easily rewrite a header or something. I find most code I write is nice to have in a modular format. IE UI handled only 1 one way then functions and classes handled another. Combine effective version control techniques and good programming practices and even a newer development can stay above the water level. Nothing worse than rewriting on a dead line!

I know this is probably a stumble upon ad. However there defiantly are tips to keep your productivity up and having the ability to merge only the best iterations of your code!

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