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Uncle Bob seems to be confusing spirit with conclusion. JWZ and Joel are arguing against "[using complex technologies] for their benefits", where simpler tech w
by mikedouglas 17y ago
Uncle Bob seems to be confusing spirit with conclusion. JWZ and Joel are arguing against "[using complex technologies] for their benefits", where simpler tech would suffice. When you're designing a browser, C++ and multithreading do have benefits, but "Duct Tape Programmers" would argue that they aren't worth the design overhead when you're facing a tight deadline.
Same with COM, unit tests, design patterns, etc. Obviously, Joel doesn't believe these have no benefits and that they're only used because they're cool. He doesn't endorse them because he doesn't believe they are worth it.
It's fine if you disagree with the duct tape mindset, but don't construct strawmen to show "we all really agree".
- branden 17y agoI think the problem with Joel's post is that you have to read between the lines to understand what he's advocating. He knows that a strong voice makes for a more compelling blog, but that caused his message of balance and tradeoffs to get muddled. As a programmer who can engineer to a fault, I found Uncle Bob's post much more useful.
- mikedouglas 17y agoI'm not sure. Uncle Bob's post came off as so reasonable and moderate that I have trouble applying it to any practical situation. Joel's post drew conclusions I don't agree with (redesigning to add multithreading after the first release seems like classic 'second system syndrome'), but at least I had a fairly good idea of the personality he was describing.
- psyklic 17y agoI believe that Joel knows that "C++ and multithreading do have benefits" -- the problem is that most people do not know how to properly code C++ and multithreading. So, even if you do use them appropriately, someone will edit the code at some point and not quite understand how to use them correctly.