Why Software is Hard

GoCanes writes "Salon's Scott Rosenberg explains why even small-scale programming projects can take years to complete, one programmer is often better than two, and the meaning of 'Rosenberg's Law.' After almost 50 years, the state of the art is still pretty darn bad. His point is that as long as you're trying to do something that has already been done, then you have an adequate frame of reference to estimate how long it will take/cost. But if software is at all interesting, it's because no one else has done it before."

Comments

Not to take potshots, but

[Mateo_LeFou]

...can anyone explain Vista's schedule in light of this discovery?

Re:Not to take potshots, but

[edwardpickman]

...can anyone explain Vista's schedule in light of this discovery?

Another law explains it, Entropy.

Re:Not to take potshots, but

[__aaclcg7560]

All the programmers got better jobs at Google?

Re:Not to take potshots, but

[h2g2bob]

Another law explains it, Anti-trust.

Nine women cannot have one baby in one month

[euice]

and of course, we are the better programmers, so better fire those other 8.

Re:Programmers

[bennomatic]

Where do you live? The 50s? You may want to ask some women you know about using that particular illustrative image.

Becuase People don't know what they want!

[Herkum01]

I would say the reason a lot of projects, even small ones take so much time is that requirements cannot be defined.

Compare building a house to software. Before you build a house

1. Plans are drawn up
2. A step-by-step schedule to created for the construction.
3. Contractors are brought it to complete the work as needed

Schedule times can slip but you still know where you are in terms of progression.

If we built this house the way we do software development

1. Hire all the construction workers
2. Tell them to build something.
3. At any point during construction tell them they are not doing it right.
4. After missing all the deadlines (which were made up by wants/desires of the customer) hire more workers.
5. Wonder why they cannot get the job done
6. Cancel the project after everyone realizes they don't want it anymore.

Re:Becuase People don't know what they want!

[Citizen of Earth]

"I'd like a car with extra wheels on top in case it flips and purple stripes and only 1 door...". Standardization is very limited.

Now imagine if every single weld was a unique, custom job that had never been done before, and if any of them are imprefect, the car crashes.

Re:Becuase People don't know what they want!

[JAFSlashdotter]

And then, just as you finish the car, with wheels on top, hybrid Ferrari/DeLorean door, as requested, the customer reveals that it must travel up a smooth vertical surface and carry 2000 people. Sorry, did you need to know that earlier? Oh, and it has to provide oxygen, heat and cooling. What do you mean that will cost more? Product launch is March 1 and we've already been advertising the new system and hired all the new drivers! This will cost us billions, you stupid developers this is all your fault!

First Post!

[Harmonious Botch]

Two of us typed this. We thought it might be faster.

Re:Programmers

[cyborg_zx]

Indeed.

It is well known that men are superior in the kitchen.

Re:Programmers

[Aphrika]

...and also that 2 women are superior in the bedroom...

Re:Programmers

[bennomatic]

> Where do you live? The 50s? You may want to ask some women you know about using that particular illustrative image.

Wow... My first ever post that got modded down as flamebait. Awesome :-) Especially funny, considering the parent post which was blatantly sexist got modded up as insightful.