Software Is Changing and Not for the Better
February 17, 2025
I read a short essay “We Are Destroying Software.” What struck me about the write up was the author’s word choice. For example, here’s a simple frequency count of the terms in the essay:
- The two most popular words in the essay are “destroying” and “software” with 15 occurrences each.
- The word “complex” is used three times
- The words “systems,” “dependencies,” “reinventing,” “wheel,” and “work” are used twice each.
The structure of the essay is a series of declarative statements like this:
We are destroying software claiming that code comments are useless.
I quite like the essay.
Several observations:
- The author is passionate about his subject. “Destroy” is not a neutral word.
- “Complex” appears to be a particular concern. This makes sense. Some systems like those in use at the US Internal Revenue Service may be difficult, if not impossible, to remediate within available budgets and resources. Gradual deterioration seems to be a characteristic of many systems today, particularly when computer technology interfaces with workers.
- The notion of “joy” of hacking comes across, not as a solution to a problem, but the reason the author was motivated to capture his thoughts.
Interesting stuff. Tough to get around entropy, however. Who is the “we” by the way?
Stephen E Arnold, February 17, 2025
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