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From: hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: Architecture
Message-ID: <4158@ttidca.TTI.COM>
Date: 30 Mar 89 02:56:30 GMT
References: <1014@afit-ab.arpa> <48125@philabs.Philips.Com>
Reply-To: hollombe@ttidcb.tti.com (The Polymath)
Distribution: na
Organization: The Cat Factory
Lines: 24


I've heard the creation of a software product likened to the building of a
house.  Depending on what changes you want and when you decide you want
them, it gets progressively more expensive.

In the planning stage, equivalent to architect's renderings, changes are
cheap and easy.

In the specification stage, equivalent to blueprints, changes are only
slightly more expensive.

Once construction starts, changes can get very expensive.  Even moving a
window is non-trivial.  Changing the design of the roof can mean throwing
out much completed work and starting over.  You don't even want to think
about changing the wiring after the walls are sealed.

Then there's the kind of change that amounts to: "We love the house you've
built, but could you move it another ten feet back from the curb?"

-- 
The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, hollombe@ttidca.tti.com)  Illegitimati Nil
Citicorp(+)TTI                                                 Carborundum
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.   (213) 452-9191, x2483
Santa Monica, CA  90405 {csun|philabs|psivax}!ttidca!hollombe