Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!hc!lll-winken!uunet!pdn!dinsdale!reggie From: reggie@dinsdale.nm.paradyne.com (George W. Leach) Newsgroups: comp.edu Subject: Re: Software Design Eucation (was Re: "Expertise") Message-ID: <5915@pdn.paradyne.com> Date: 10 Apr 89 18:08:29 GMT References: <354@cbnewsc.ATT.COM> <7531@thorin.cs.unc.edu> <4972@hubcap.clemson.edu> <22630@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> <7800@pucc.Princeton.EDU> <15192@bellcore.bellcore.com> Sender: news@pdn.paradyne.com Reply-To: reggie@dinsdale.paradyne.com (George W. Leach) Distribution: usa Organization: AT&T Suncoast Division, Largo FL Lines: 35 In article <15192@bellcore.bellcore.com> duncan@ctt.bellcore.com (Scott Duncan) writes: >Many companies sense this is the better path, but it is clear people can "get >by" without as much concern for long-term design. The collapse of a software >system rarely occurs with the same dramatic (and, more importantly, publically >visible) effect as does that of a bridge or building. Thus, the design flaws >of software are often hidden for years (forever?) because software flaws gen- >erally make something ELSE appear to have failed or broken down. To borrow >from the old "tree in the forest" physics question: If a program crashes at >night, and no user sees it, is there a failure? Apparently it has become an acceptable practice in this industry to get something out the door. So what if features must be dropped. So what if there exist some known bugs. Meet the deadlines and get the product out. Is this really any different from the short term thinking that permeates our political system? In large companies, people remain with a project for a relatively short time. By meeting your short term goals you can earn a promotion that takes you away from worrying about the long term implications of short term oriented decisions. The product and the company suffer, but the individual does not. This goes for software developers as well as managers, product planners, etc...... There are certain life critical applications where software is becoming increasing important, eg. medical, defense, etc.... In these areas one could easily see the potential for disaster and law suits someday. George W. Leach AT&T Paradyne .!uunet!pdn!reggie Mail stop LG-129 reggie@pdn.paradyne.com P.O. Box 2826 Phone: (813) 530-2376 Largo, FL USA 34649-2826