8 ms·
> After solving a challenging problem, I solve it again from scratch, retracing only the insight of the earlier solution. I repeat this until the solution is
by waqf 10y ago
> After solving a challenging problem, I solve it again from scratch, retracing only the insight of the earlier solution. I repeat this until the solution is as clear and direct as I can hope for. Then I look for a general rule for attacking similar problems, that would have led me to approach the given problem in the most efficient way the first time. Often, such a rule is of permanent value.
This has been one of my principles all my life, and I was just thinking recently about the fact that I've never seen it written down anywhere. (Also, about the fact that it really is a question of personal style, because I've read through rough work/notebooks from very successful people who don't seem to think that way at all.)
- pavel_lishin 10y agoIsn't that a bit like "Plan to throw the first one away"? https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Fred_Brooks https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Fred_Brooks
- tdb7893 10y agoIt's crazy that a sofware engineering book from the 70's is still pretty relevant
- douche 10y agoTrue wisdom is timeless. Assuming we're still around for another two and a half millenia, I imagine the Art of War will still be read and studied.
- bjacokes 10y agoSeems more like: "next time, how can I not have to throw the first one away?" Maybe you never get to that point, but you could at least have to throw away less, or be closer to a final version the first time around.
- stephengillie 10y agoBuy the cheapest one the first time. Then keep a list of all your regrets and wishes, and refer to this when buying the next one.
- psyc 10y agoI solve every programming problem this way. The first few iterations have lumps that seem necessary, but still lumpy. The final iteration is nothing but a small set of aesthetically pleasing rules that seem self-evident in hindsight.
- marak830 10y agoI'm the same. Not not wrong about hindsight, why does it look so painfully obvious after I have gone through 3-4 iterations haha.