Righteous Wrath Online Community

General => Lobby => Topic started by: Darren Dirt on July 30, 2007, 12:45:19 PM

Title: The Tao Of Programming
Post by: Darren Dirt on July 30, 2007, 12:45:19 PM
...A program should follow the `Law of Least Astonishment'. What is this law? It is simply that the program should always respond to the user in the way that astonishes him least.

A program, no matter how complex, should act as a single unit. The program should be directed by the logic within rather than by outward appearances.

If the program fails in these requirements, it will be in a state of disorder and confusion. The only way to correct this is to rewrite the program.

(online version (http://www.canonical.org/~kragen/tao-of-programming.html) , book review (http://tal.forum2.org/tao))

Title: Re: The Tao Of Programming
Post by: Thorin on July 30, 2007, 12:58:49 PM
Nicely written.  I'm not sure I like the definition of a master programmer, though - someone who doesn't need structure or documentation or tests to know that their program will work correctly.
Title: Re: The Tao Of Programming
Post by: Darren Dirt on July 30, 2007, 01:48:28 PM
[sarcasm]then by your own admission you are not "filled with Tao"[/sarcasm]
Title: Re: The Tao Of Programming
Post by: Mr. Analog on July 31, 2007, 02:23:21 PM
Excellent find my friend.