#034 - Brain Oriented Programming with Philip Winston
Jan 1, 2024
auto_awesome
Philip Winston, a software engineer with a storied history, discusses the pros and cons of object oriented programming. They also explore topics such as guitar hero, implementing realism in video games, and the limitations of human memory in coding. Additionally, the chapter delves into attributes in programming and the concept of split and merge for problem-solving.
Clean code and appropriate abstractions improve code comprehension and maintenance.
Considering the limitations of human memory, simplicity and clarity in coding practices are essential.
Large and bloated objects in object-oriented programming hinder code understanding and maintainability.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Complex Code
The podcast discusses the challenges faced when dealing with complex and large software projects. This includes the difficulty in understanding and maintaining such projects, especially for junior developers. The episode highlights the importance of clean code and the need for simplicity and clarity in programming. It emphasizes the significance of organizing code and using appropriate abstractions to improve comprehensibility and maintainability.
The Limitations of Human Memory
The podcast explores the concept of the 'seven plus or minus two' principle, which suggests that humans have a limited capacity to remember and process information. It references the work of George A. Miller and his research on the finite nature of human memory. The episode delves into the application of this principle in various domains, such as remembering digits or tones of sound. It also discusses how this principle can influence coding practices, encouraging developers to consider simplicity and clarity in their code to accommodate the limitations of human memory.
Abstractions and Code Organization
The podcast highlights the importance of well-designed abstractions and code organization to improve code comprehension and maintenance. It emphasizes the benefits of breaking down complex code into smaller, more manageable components, such as using structs or classes to encapsulate related data. The episode discusses how thoughtful abstractions can lead to cleaner, more maintainable code. It also tackles the dilemma of balancing simplicity and complexity in code, stressing the significance of creating abstractions that are justified and add value to the overall system.
Understanding the Issues with Object-Oriented Programming
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the drawbacks of object-oriented programming (OOP) and the challenges faced when dealing with large and bloated objects. One key point made is that an object with too many instance variables is not truly object-oriented. It is emphasized that such objects make it harder to understand and maintain the program's codebase. The speaker also explains that having a large number of attributes in a class can lead to complexity and difficulty in reasoning about the code. The importance of splitting code into smaller, manageable chunks and using immutable states or enums is highlighted as an approach to tackle these challenges.
The Importance of Small Commits and Code Consistency
Another main discussion point in the podcast revolves around the significance of writing clean and maintainable code. The speaker suggests that developers should aim for code that is visually consistent with the existing codebase. By observing the overall shape and structure of the code, one can determine whether their own additions or modifications align with the existing style. It is recommended to focus on making small, incremental changes and maintaining consistent code quality. The importance of considering code readability for future reference and easier collaboration is stressed. The speaker also mentions the benefits of using version control to track and manage code changes effectively.
Lane chats with Philip Winston, a software engineer with a storied history who recently published an article titled "Brain Oriented Programming". Tune in as Lane and Philip talk about the pros and cons of object oriented programming and... guitar hero? Don't miss this episode of Backend Banter!
Learn back-end development - https://boot.dev Listen on your favorite podcast player: https://www.backendbanter.com
Philip Winston's Twitter: https://twitter.com/pbwinston Brain Oriented Programming Article: https://tobeva.com/articles/brain-oriented-programming/
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
