Rewrites Considered Harmful?

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Posted by CmdrTaco on Thursday January 15, 2004 @07:26AM from the but-sometimes-it's-just-plain-fun dept.

ngunton writes "When is "good enough" enough? I wrote this article to take a philosophical look at the tendency for software developers to rewrite new versions of popular tools and standards from scratch rather than work on the existing codebase. This introduces new bugs and abandons all the small fixes and tweaks that made the original version work so well. It also often introduces incompatibilities that break a sometimes huge existing userbase. Examples include IPv4 vs IPv6, Apache, Perl, Embperl, Netscape/Mozilla, HTML and Windows. "

10 of 670 comments (clear)

But.. But... by devphaeton · 2004-01-15 07:29 · Score: 3, Funny

This introduces new bugs and abandons all the small fixes and tweaks that made the original version work so well. It also often introduces incompatibilities that break a sometimes huge existing userbase.

Microsoft has created an entire, successful, multibillion-dollar-a-year-profiting business model off of this!!

Sheesh.

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do() || do_not(); // try();
Damed if you do, damed if you dont. by Kenja · 2004-01-15 07:31 · Score: 5, Funny

Slashdoter: Why wont Microsoft just drop the Windows code base and start over? There are too many problems to fix.
Microsoft: Ok, Windows XP and 2003 have a full rewrite of the TCP/IP stack and security system.
Slashdoter: Why did Microsoft rewrite the core OS? They just introduced more bugs and lost the stability and security fixes from older versions of the OS?

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"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
Netscape 4.x fast? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-15 07:31 · Score: 4, Funny

Ok, this dude uses netscape 4.x and thinks its fast. next article please.
Re:Slashdot by [TWD]insomnia · 2004-01-15 07:32 · Score: 3, Funny

I propose we redesign Slashdot in brainf*ck instead.
Wow by Boing · 2004-01-15 07:34 · Score: 5, Funny

That article had about the highest flamebait-to-content ratio I've ever seen on Slashdot (and that's SAYING something).
This oughtta be good. (puts on asbestos-lined pants)
I didn't read the article by billnapier · 2004-01-15 07:37 · Score: 4, Funny

It was too messy and unmaintainable. I'll wait until the rewrite comes out to fix all the grammer and spelling bugs.
Re:Full of shit. by Dark+Lord+Seth · 2004-01-15 07:42 · Score: 4, Funny

Netscape 4 is an awful, crashy, buggy, standards-breaking piece of crap that set the Internet back years.

And what does that make IE? The antichrist?

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Hate me!
Rewrite of the article by seanmeister · 2004-01-15 07:53 · Score: 5, Funny

The Problem: Rewrite Mania
Waaaaaaa!!

Case 1: IPv4 vs IPv6
Waaaaaaa!

Case 2: Apache 1.x vs Apache 2.x
Waaaaaaaaaa!

Case 3: Perl 5.x vs Perl 6
Waaaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaaaaa!

Case 4: Embperl 1.x vs Embperl 2
Waaaaa!

Case 5: Netscape 4.x vs Mozilla
Waaaaaaaaa!

Case 6: HTML 4 vs XHTML + CSS + XML + XSL + XQuery + XPath + XLink + ...
XML is hard! My HTML for Dummies book weighs too much! Waaaaaaa!

Case 7: Windows 2000 vs Windows XP vs Server 2003
Waaaaaaaa!

Conclusion: In Defense of "good enough" and simplicity
Waaaaa waaaaaaaaa!
Re:Design desitions by aridhol · 2004-01-15 08:08 · Score: 4, Funny

Specs? Uh...what are they? ;)
Two lenses, held in a frame that keeps them in front of your eyes. Allows the slightly vision-impaired (such as myself) proper vision.

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I can't say that I don't give a fuck. I've just run out of fuck to give.
Re:Windows XP was a complete rewrite? by dtfinch · 2004-01-15 08:58 · Score: 3, Funny

Notice how if you increment the letters in VMS you get WNT.