The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source You call it tech debt I call it malpractice (Friends)
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Sep 1, 2023 Kris Brandow, a Go Time panelist and software engineer, shares his unique perspectives on software development. He challenges the conventional tech debt analogy, arguing it's more akin to malpractice when ignoring documentation and coding standards. Kris dives into the misconceptions surrounding the waterfall model and emphasizes the importance of rigorous planning. He also discusses the role of documentation in tech, advocating for clearer communication and accountability. Plus, he reflects on the complexities of distributed systems and the need for better educational resources.
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Family Background in CS
- Kris Brandow's parents both studied computer science, and his mom was a programmer.
- She quit after spending an absurd amount of time debugging a missing semicolon.
First Software Gig
- Kris Brandow built a Drupal equipment reservation system in college, which led to his first paid software gig.
- Ironically, the client never used the user manual, leading to a poor user experience.
Waterfall is Iterative
- The waterfall methodology, contrary to popular belief, is actually iterative, as stated on the first page of Royce's paper.
- Misinterpretations arose from later papers and a shift in software development culture.