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Is there some version of Betteridge’s Law of Headline Questions but for the imperative voice? But seriously I don’t think warts are the key to long-serving web
by snowwrestler 1y ago
Is there some version of Betteridge’s Law of Headline Questions but for the imperative voice?
But seriously I don’t think warts are the key to long-serving web applications without maintenance. The key is to pick technologies with no security vulnerabilities. That way you won’t ever have to install patches (which risk breaking functionality, which requires maintenance to fix), and you won’t ever get hacked (which also requires maintenance to fix).
Do such technologies exist? I don’t think so. Which is why I think the concept of constant maintenance is inherent to web applications and everyone should just accept that.
I think we’re far enough along in this journey to recognize that the dream of “immortal frictionless machinery” is not what software actually is. We create the friction (via usage, attacks, and patches) and we should plan to address it.
Bridges do receive regular maintenance BTW, even very well-engineered ones…
- 1313ed01 1y agoNo, ideally you pick technologies that still have maintenance and security updates, but no other changes. Assuming it already does what you need it for already, and that is usually the case. Without other changes there also will be no new security issues to fix.
- snowwrestler 1y agoIt’s just impossible to exclude the possibility of breaking changes because it’s impossible to exclude unforeseen bugs. Operationally it is much better to accept the need for software maintenance and plan for it.
- pixl97 1y ago>, ideally you pick technologies that still have maintenance and security updates These are exceedingly rare, and even more rarely do those stable technologies cover your actual needs.