The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source The best, worst codebase (Interview)
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Sep 18, 2024 
Jimmy Miller, host of the Future of Coding podcast, shares his wild journey through a massive legacy codebase at his first programming gig. He uncovers unexpected chaos, revealing a harrowing experience involving a serious security flaw and law enforcement. Jimmy reflects on the mix of nostalgia and challenges from navigating outdated systems, humorous quirks, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of preserving knowledge within teams while finding beauty in the complexity of flawed code.
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The Best, Worst Codebase
- Jimmy Miller's first programming job involved a massive legacy codebase.
- It included hundreds of thousands of lines of C# and VB and a database with over 1,000 columns.
Bespoke Software and Language Change
- The company Jimmy worked for had a large customer support team with a separate development room.
- Their bespoke software, built over 10 years, was a mix of C# and VB due to a mid-project language change.
Impact of Leadership Changes
- Constant leadership changes and conflicting directions led to the codebase's chaotic state.
- Product and sales hierarchy names changed frequently, requiring source control and tribal knowledge to decipher.