4 ms·
>When I calculated the strength of a beam in a thrust reverser I didn't understand the individual molecular interactions, I didn't need to know if the metal was
by netizen-936824 5y ago
>When I calculated the strength of a beam in a thrust reverser I didn't understand the individual molecular interactions, I didn't need to know if the metal was of a body-centered cubic crystal structure, etc. But this is because I was able to apply well-understood and rigorously accepted simplifying assumptions that were conservative (from the point of view of a factor of safety), and fully encapsulated all the understanding I needed to produce a part fit for use.
While I fully agree with almost everything in your post, this sounds an awful lot like an abstraction to me. Perhaps the different between creating software and engineering based on the physical sciences is the degree in which the abstractions are understood and rigorous. Perhaps software engineering is simply in its infancy and may eventually lead to more rigorous designs with less or no bugs in the future?
- aozgaa 5y agoIn software, the range of correct operation (eg: maximum web server load with response time under x ms) is commonly unspecified and omitted. The strength of the beam gives a conservative estimate of its capabilities. Still a model/abstraction, but one with boundaries.
- Dma54rhs 5y agoI think there are bigger guarantees and checks the beam works as it's specified so the next engineer can continue. Google was using in production (firebase cli) the notorious trick the js developer played us other week. I doubt the other fields would rely on some random developer from Australia who has had a colorful past to provide the beam for structural engineer. And there's definetly more testing from all sort of parties they work om real life as advertised. Then again no one is offering free open source beams and you can't since you need materials not just one time drawings of an idea.
- netizen-936824 5y agoThe beams may not be open source but the calculations are
- Ruthalas 5y agoIf the beam is in a critical application, it may have provenance, or a material history, for similar purposes.
- Scramblejams 5y agoThe difference (if any) between simplification and abstraction is the subject of some debate!