sam boyer, a returning guest, joins Ian and Kris to discuss simplicity in writing software in Go. They explore the distinction between simple and easy, the challenges of achieving simplicity, and the importance of embracing complexity. They also delve into code organization, the controversy of pre-release video games, and the formation of internet communities.
Simplicity in software development can be achieved by carefully considering where it will have the most impact and focusing on those areas.
Investing time in understanding the problem and iterating on design choices can contribute to building simpler software.
Simplicity is not just about implementation, but also about acquiring knowledge about the problem and the inner workings of the system.
Deep dives
Document your code
Writing comments and documenting your code helps ensure that what you're building aligns with the intended design, simplifying the development process.
Be thoughtful about where simplicity is placed
Carefully consider where simplicity is most beneficial in your project, such as focusing on simplicity at the edges. Choose areas where simplicity will have the most impact.
Understand requirements and iterate
Invest time in understanding the problem and the needs of your users. Iterate and test your design choices, being open to feedback and making adjustments as needed.
Balance design and implementation
Recognize that simplicity is a component of the design process, not just the implementation phase. Acquiring knowledge about the problem and understanding the inner workings of the system can contribute to building simpler software.
The benefits of pre-release video games
The speaker expresses support for pre-release video games, arguing that the uproar surrounding them is exaggerated. They believe that if someone doesn't want to play an unfinished game, they simply shouldn't buy the pre-released version. They dismiss concerns about pre-release games being sold as unfinished, stating that it is the consumer's responsibility to decide whether or not to purchase these games.
The potential of AI language models (LLMs)
The speaker believes that AI language models (LLMs) will significantly disrupt the software industry, as they offer fast and mostly accurate answers to software-related tasks. They argue that LLMs will make precise engineering less necessary and lead to a shift in software engineering towards building more reusable components. However, they acknowledge that LLMs require proper engineering for constructing the chain of relations between components, and they foresee LLMs coexisting with human-designed software.
Rob Pike says, “Simplicity is the art of hiding complexity.” If that’s true, what is simplicity in the context of writing software in Go? Is it even something we should strive for? Can software be too simple? Ian & Kris discuss with return guest sam boyer.
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