Not Invented, Hear?

Eagerness to Build Solutions

Software developers often exhibit a strong inclination to create their own solutions instead of relying on existing ones. This eagerness can lead to the development of systems and tools that others might deem unnecessary or even reckless, such as building a custom message queue or a package management system. The hosts reflect on their tendency toward this 'not invented here' mentality, acknowledging that while it can stem from a character flaw, there are often rational motivations behind these choices. By crafting custom solutions, developers may feel more invested and capable of handling the specific issues they encounter.

Lessons from Historical Examples

The hosts share an example of a package management system called Fig, which they built in a previous job, highlighting how it aimed to address the lack of version control in existing dependency management tools. They discuss the trade-offs that come with building such systems, including the recognition that many developers might prefer to use established solutions rather than creating their own. In hindsight, they admit that their effort to build a new tool could have been avoided by better employing existing packages. The complexity introduced by building new systems often outweighs the perceived benefits, calling into question when it is truly justifiable to pursue custom builds.

The Cost of Custom Development

Creating bespoke solutions requires significant time and resources, which can lead to problems later in the development process. For instance, one host recounts an experience where he spent days attempting to configure an AWS service to meet his needs, ultimately deciding to build a custom solution instead. While this decision provided immediate satisfaction and control, it also introduced ongoing maintenance and testing costs for the newly developed code. Balancing the benefits of doing it oneself against the potential long-term costs remains a complex issue in software development.

Value of Expertise and Team Dynamics

Building software in-house allows for a deep understanding of the system, fostering expertise among team members who created it. This internal knowledge can streamline onboarding for new developers, as they can gain insights directly from those familiar with the codebase. However, creating a proprietary system also raises concerns around documentation and knowledge sharing, particularly if key developers become overburdened with other responsibilities. Ultimately, the choice to build or buy a solution involves weighing the benefits of ownership and control against the challenges of maintaining that solution over time.

Two's Complement

Not Invented, Hear?

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Eagerness to Build Solutions

Lessons from Historical Examples

The Cost of Custom Development

Value of Expertise and Team Dynamics

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