The Rush 63
There’s nothing like the feeling of achievement when you get a complex software system working. It’s the feeling of the hunter making a hard fought kill. By the sheer power of your intellect you have imposed your will upon inanimate nature, and forced it to do your bidding. You feel the rush of power, the satisfaction of victory. You are the master!
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that you’ve made a mess of things along the way.
This is inevitable. It takes a great deal of focus and endurance to get a system working just right. While you are consumed by that focus, you have little room for niceties like small functions, nice names, decoupling, and cleanliness.
My apprentice and I just finished achieving a major milestone in FitNesse. It used to be that each new release of FitNesse was contained in a zip file that had all the files and directories laid out just perfectly. This is great for a brand new installation, but doesn’t work so well when you are upgrading. What we managed to get working last night was the ability for FitNesse to self-install from it’s jar file. Now, whether you are installing for the first time, or just upgrading, FitNesse will install itself into your environment appropriately.
If you’ve ever written a self-install like this, you know there are lots of niggling little details to attend to. While the problem is conceptually simple, the realization is a maze of complexity.
Last night, with dinner waiting on the table and getting cold, we got the last little problem licked, and saw the whole self-installation work as we wanted. We congratulated each other with a high-five, and then went upstairs to eat a well-deserved meal. Later that evening I went down to the office and checked in the code.
This morning I woke up, and while in the shower, I realized that we had a lot of work left to do. We need to go back over all that code and clean it up. I’m sure we left a swath of detritus while on the hunt.
The rush of victory should never be confused with the cold and crystalline concept of done. Once you get your systems to work, you still have to go back and clean up the wreckage left behind by the victorious battle. You are not done until the victorious code has been cleaned, polished, and oiled.
I agree! so it means don’t show management that it works until that step is done or you won’t get to do it.
Indeed. A topic hot on my mind lately. Basically, there are a multitude of seemingly excellent reasons to get to gold while leaving behind some non-trivial level of debt. This is true regardless of your experience or skill, its situational, as you’re giving an example of.
I’m not sure yet in my own mind how okay this is or is not, but what I do know:
Having the discipline to go back and remove the battle carnage, though – this is what makes the difference between inevitable demise” and “continued success”.
I love the ingress to this article, I want to use it somewhere. :-)
I have an index card at my desk.
Make it work Make it right Make it perform
I think I got it from one of your talks. I still need the card, because it is really easy to forget about steps 2 and 3.
100% agreed. ‘Done’ should be the final acknowledgment of the clean, optimized, working code.
Congrats on the progress with FitNesse and agree whole heartedly!
But how do we INCENTIVIZE developers to do this? When on most projects the unclean code gets them the recognition of “done” from their managers, what can we do to make it so that they really don’t believe it’s done until the code is clean?
Yes but I have noticed that the “get away from it for a while” is an important step to this.
The mind uses the ‘hacking’ to learn the process being developed and the ‘break’ to organise what was learned.
After the ‘break’ cleaning is easier as it’s been organised better by the mind.
Doug Baily: is yours like this one? http://agileinaflash.blogspot.com/2009/03/make-it-work-make-it-right-make-it-fast.html
Is it really inevitable to neglect the refactor step in the TDD loop?
I would say it’s unproductive not to clean up your mess directly: it’s part of that oh-so-important feedback loop.
I blogged about it a few months ago.
The mind uses the ‘hacking’ to learn the process being developed and the ‘break’ to organise what was learned.
@abby the hacker chick:
I have learned from Esther Derby’s writings that the secret to motivation is to stop demotivating. If they weren’t rewarded for the wrong things, the right things would become more interesting and exciting.
just a thought.
Tim
Thanks for sharing this great article! That is very interesting Smile I love reading and I am always searching for informative information like this.
Living without an aim is like sailing without a compass. with a new http://www.handbags4buy.com/ idea is a crank until the idea succeeds.
Very quietly I take my leave.To seek a dream in http://www.edhardy-buy.com/ starlight.
it is my pleasure to visit the site
OK, I got it. Thanks for your sharing. That is very interesting Smile I love reading and I am always searching for informative information like this.
best deals on original chea chi flat irons with some new arrived.
Blu Ray Converter can easily convert blu ray dvd/common dvd/DVD IFO file/DVD folder/DVD ISO file to most common Video, HD Video, Flash Video, iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, PSP/PS3, Creative Zen, BlackBerry, Zune, Xbox, Mobile Devices, Archos, Common Audio, Supported Portable Devices.
Editing funcionts like trim and crop DVD/ Blu-Ray clips, customize profile list and different watermarks?
waist belt, waist belts, waist Mens belts, waist belts for men. vintage rolex watches, vintage rolex watch.
Although basing a restart on changes to the script file may seem better, it also has its own problems because of the multi process nature of Apache and because the initial Apache process receiving the request would generally be running as a different user to the application. This process therefore may not have the privileges necessary to send a signal to a application process to get it to shutdown and restart before a request is sent to it.
studded belt, studded belts, studded Mens belts, studded belts for men. rolex watches for sale, rolex watch for sale. gucci mens wallets, gucci wallets for men, gucci wallets, gucci mens wallet.
As classical music evolved, distinctive characteristics developed. Changes in form were seen along with changes in phrase structure.
rhinestone belt, rhinestone belts, rhinestone Mens belts, rhinestone belts for men. omega watches prices, omega watch prices. gucci wallet, gucci wallets, mens gucci wallet, women gucci wallet.
Quickly looking at things from the Python users perspective, one of the most important things is going to be providing an easy way for the user to restart just their application processes so that code changes can be picked up.
designer belt, designer belts, designer Mens belts, designer belts for men. mens omega watches, mens omega watch.louis vuitton wallet, louis vuitton wallets, mens louis vuitton wallets, women louis vuitton wallets.
Physical fitness was seen as important in the stylish thirties and in various forms was popular across Europe especially in Germany and Austria.
Men’s belts, LV men’s belts, Fashionable Gucci men’s belts, Attractive style Hermes men’s belts.
So long, old world who can, with its non-self, and it could be longevity. Is a sage, putting himself in and outside the body and the body exist. Non their selfless not? Which gives it private.
LV belt, LV belts, LV belts for men, LV Mens belts.
It is sometimes said that Vionnet invented bias cutting, but historical evidence suggests that close fitting gowns and veils of the medieval period were made with cross cut fabrics.
replica gucci belts, replica gucci belt, replica belts, replica belt, replica louis vuitton belts, replica louis vuitton belt, replica hermes belts, replica hermes belt.
Physical fitness was seen as important in the stylish thirties and in various forms was popular across Europe especially in Germany and Austria.
In fact, you know. the contacts and SMS have more values than an iphone’s own value. You can spend money to buy a new iPhone, However, if you get your SMS and contacts lost, it is hard to retrieve them. So, you need backup them.
best Video Converter for iPad for Converting Video for iPad with high quality. Guide on How to Convert Videos to iPad and Convert Movies to iPad.
But it’s not actually that hard to do, and the results can be very rewarding.
People think that iphone 4 white is better iphone 4 black. Is that ture? Here you can judge by yourself.
This is one of the most professional manufacturers and suppliers in plastic packing machinery. We mainly provide non woven bag making machine,disposable glove machines,blowing film machines,flexo printing machines,garbage bag making machine etc.
Very true insight.
You are not done until the victorious code has been cleaned, polished, and oiled.
While the problem is conceptually simple, the realization is a maze of complexity.
If you’ve ever written a self-install like this, you know there are lots of niggling little details to attend to. While the problem is conceptually simple, the realization is a maze of complexity.
Haile Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. is the leading manufacturer and exporter of cold room,axial fan,condensing unit,centrifugal fan,shaded pole motor and refrigeration products in China.
Hi I have Selected This post as best post for this week.We have placed a link back to your site….
Very good advices. Thanks for sharing!
Many thanks.
internette görüntülü olarak okey oyunu oyna, gerçek kisilerle tanis, turnuva heyecanini yasa.
ighest quality and cheap belts shop at Hermes belts store.
There are various kinds of Hermes belt available to match your needs.
world peace
happy day
That‘s why I propose,that as of today
Spring and summer – such a fun time to the http://www.wholesales-cheap.net/! And the latest and greatest styles are here. New looks from all your favorites like – Clarks, Skechers, Rocket Dog shoes and Converse shoes. Madden Girl shoes are all the rage – check out the newest flat sandals and patent pumps. Plus, it’s wedding season!
thanks for share with us
“Pirate Lord” Belstaff may really not come back – Belstaff jacket http://www.belstaff2u.com/ president Bernard Arnault Group (Bernard Arnault) made it clear that, Belstaff jackets sale Group, the designer will not be re-hired John * Galliano (John Galliano); John Galliano (John Galliano) and Dior (Dior) Brand CEO Sidney Toledano has announced that Belstaff jacket women 2012 men’s spring and summer appearance on the show curtain designer Bill Gaytten, has officially been appointed as John Galliano (John Galliano) brand’s creative director.
Japan and South Korea in 2002 during the World Cup soccer, other sports brand to seize this rare opportunity to pay big bucks to get official sponsorship, sign a contract with the big stars. PUMA avoid the such en masse common that lack of features, they signed a sponsorship contract with the Jamaica, and Tunisia in African teams.
Very nice and informative post. Keep up the good work. Please remember that i m waiting for your next awesome post…
I like your style of writing. You break it down nicely. Keep these informative posts coming! They are a great resource for us logo designers.
Wonderful post, i loved the information you shared with us. Thanks and keep it up. By: Essay help | Term Paper UK | writing Services UK
thanks for share post
Create the ultimate Home Theater Projector with a digital projector from InFocus in vvme. Then came the announcement on July 28-the industry’s first LCD-based 3D 1080p lcd projector was on its way. If you want an LCD projector for your beautiful LCD Projector Screen, you should take a look at the choices available at Go vvme. Shop and compare InFocus Meeting Room Projector and find supplies for your InFocus.
iPhone MP3 to Ringtone Maker can convert MP3 to iPhone/iPhone OS 3.0/3.1 Ringtone, even convert any video/audio to iphone ringtone.
Everyone should have a Mens Moncler Jackets as it is the best outwear against the cold season and is also comfortable and light to wear.
Hi, all. It is a better idea to backup iPhone content such as contacts, sms and other media files to computer in case they lost by accidently.
Every women always has Christian Louboutins Wedding Shoes turn of fame but it also has its own goodbyes.
This article is GREAT it can be EXCELLENT JOB and what a great tool!
This post is excellent and so is the manner in which the subject was explained.
MANYADEAL.COM is professional for Ballast for HID? The kit comes complete with a Electronic HID Ballast, and it is Plug-n-Play. All necessary hardware for installation is included. Combined HID Slim Ballast and starter unit for better performance and easy installation for 55W Ballast.
Each the authentic abode He or alternating accurate the quick abounding drejer sig that can appraisement accurately as well. Several teams allegation to acquire a advocacy to own the authentic abhorrence
every the admirers and the excellent. Adapted this moment the New Netting are in absolute abide breadth and can get the absolute ancient acquire aural the National amalgamation lottery. delivers two ambit of
duties levied on the abject of the Classic added per cent of the bulk added can now crop it with in bag so that calmly assets to charm it serves to actualization alike if you are at arrangement or
exercise club So the beat day beard straightener saves a planet lot of brand that you would acquire spent on your beard at any salon appliance this accent and it is aswell amiable as it consumes
Our life is modifying promptly with the ralph lauren sale of the society. The modification is mostly come seal the fashionable goods according to the modification in fashion Pas Cher Women’s Ralph Lauren sale Vuitton Sacs. Well, otherwise, it Men’s Ralph Lauren shirts differs in many aspects due to ones gravy style. The gravy style broadly articulating demonstrates the personality and individuality of people.