this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2024
162 points (95.0% liked)

Linux

48328 readers
659 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I'm curious how software can be created and evolve over time. I'm afraid that at some point, we'll realize there are issues with the software we're using that can only be remedied by massive changes or a complete rewrite.

Are there any instances of this happening? Where something is designed with a flaw that doesn't get realized until much later, necessitating scrapping the whole thing and starting from scratch?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 0x0@programming.dev 3 points 7 months ago (5 children)

I'd counter that with monolithic, legacy apps without any testing trying to refactor can be a real pain.

I much prefer starting from scratch, while trying to avoid past mistakes and still maintaining the old app until new up is ready. Then management starts managing and new app becomes old app. Rinse and repeat.

[–] teawrecks@sopuli.xyz 5 points 7 months ago (4 children)

I made a thing.

The difference between the idiot and the expert, is the expert knows why the fences are there, and can do the rewrite without having to relearn lessons. But if you're supporting a package you didn't originally write, a rewrite is much harder.

[–] GorGor@startrek.website 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] teawrecks@sopuli.xyz 1 points 7 months ago

Hah yeah, this was in the back of my mind. I forgot the context of it, though, thanks.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments (2 replies)