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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."
Treading new ground always requires greater effort. If I cut a my way through virgin jungle then those who follow have a path.
The problem is even thinking in terms of "effort." Ideas are not the product of labor. Time with a chain saw is proportional to length of path cleared.
Ideas may come in a flash, or evade forever.
KFG
Some of my best ideas have come from pondering over a problem.
What I did not say is that thinking is easy.
KFG
Just disagreeing on our definition of the word "labor".
That's what I was doing; and within the context of a specific provided example.
Think about it. It might take some effort.
KFG
Are you talking about "Ideas may come in a flash, or evade forever."?
Which is the clue that I'm not talking about thinking.
If you've got a point to make, please do so.
Think.
KFG
I'll reiterate, if you've got a point to make, do so...without obfuscation.
No.
KFG