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submitted 8 months ago by sepulcher@lemmy.ca to c/linux@lemmy.ml

I'm curious how software can be created and evolve over time. I'm afraid that at some point, we'll realize there are issues with the software we're using that can only be remedied by massive changes or a complete rewrite.

Are there any instances of this happening? Where something is designed with a flaw that doesn't get realized until much later, necessitating scrapping the whole thing and starting from scratch?

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[-] teawrecks@sopuli.xyz 5 points 8 months ago

I made a thing.

The difference between the idiot and the expert, is the expert knows why the fences are there, and can do the rewrite without having to relearn lessons. But if you're supporting a package you didn't originally write, a rewrite is much harder.

[-] msage@programming.dev 5 points 8 months ago

Which is something I always try to explain to juniors: writing code is cool, but for your sake learn how to READ code.

Not just understanding what it does, but what was it all meant to do. Even reading your own code is a skill that needs some focus.

Side note: I hate it to my core when people copy code mindlessly. Sometimes it's not even a bug, or a performance issue, but something utterly stupid and much harder to read. But because they didn't understand it, and didn't even try, they just copy-pasted it and went on. Ugh.

[-] teawrecks@sopuli.xyz 1 points 8 months ago

Side note: I hate it to my core when people copy code mindlessly

Get ready for the world of AI code assist 😬

[-] GorGor@startrek.website 1 points 8 months ago
[-] teawrecks@sopuli.xyz 1 points 8 months ago

Hah yeah, this was in the back of my mind. I forgot the context of it, though, thanks.

this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2024
166 points (95.1% liked)

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Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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