Subj : Re: extreme programming (thoughts)
To   : comp.programming
From : Ed Prochak
Date : Mon Jul 25 2005 03:12 pm



Phlip wrote:
> wee wrote:
>
> > > Inspiration causes bugs. That's the bane of all software engineering.
> >
> > Without inspiration, we wouldn't have software engineering, and we
> > wouldn't be having this kind of conversation.
> >
> > Philip, can you see how the statements you made above actually sound?
> > They have a propaganda feel to them; a little touch of control and
> > demand to conform . . .
>
> Okay, you individualist you. The next time you go in for surgery, tell the
> doctor not to worry about scrubbing down.

I think the analogy would be closer to having a surgen perform a NEW
proceedure.

>
> > > But this isn't all about you, you know...
> >
> > Maybe that's the problem here. XP is a group activity, not a solo
> > creation. In XP, because it's all about groups, you draw down the level
> > of excellence you produce. So, you'll have mediocre programmers writing
> > mediocre code, and that's fine I guess. I was just positing that I
> > wouldn't want to be a part of that world, ever. Thanks, but no thanks.
>
> This happens when individuals discuss risk. Without risk, we can cheerfully
> discuss inspiration and motivation and individuality all day.
>
> Risk changes everything, including what conversations like these sound like.
> While one party remains in denial of risks, the other must sound a little
> pushy; a little cautionary. There are other ways to discuss these things.
>
> A Jedi can feel the Force flowing thru him!
>
> --
>   Phlip
>   http://www.c2.com/cgi/wiki?ZeekLand

RISK is the factor that makes a lot of what we do alaolous to medicine.
The has to be some inspiration to drive new designs (proceedures), but
there has to be feedback on success or failure. But note the result is
not a simple either/or. It is rather a range between complete success
and complete failure (with complete failure a lot easier to achieve).

Sadly while researchers in Software Engineering may be looking at
development processes that reduce risk and bugs and the need for
inspiration, the general software industry is not so finely focussed.
I'm happy when I can work at a place that at least does some testing!
let alone code reviews, pair development, XP or other development
processes.

Ed

.