Book Five
Thus spake the master programmer:
“Though a program be but three lines long,
someday it will have to be maintained.”
5.1
A well-used door needs no oil on its hinges.
A swift-flowing steam does no grow stagnant.
Neither sound nor thoughts can travel through a vacuum.
Software rots if not used.
These are great mysteries.
5.2
A manager asked a programmer how long it would take him to finish the
program on which he was working. “I will be finished tomorrow,” the
programmer promptly replied.
“I think you are being unrealistic,” said the manager. “Truthfully, how
long will it take?”
The programmer thought for a moment. “I have some features that I wish
to add. This will take at least two weeks,” he finally said.
“Even that is too much to expect,” insisted the manager, “I will be
satisfied if you simply tell me when the program is complete.”
The programmer agreed to this.
Several years slated, the manager retired. On the way to his
retirement lunch, he discovered the programmer asleep at his terminal.
He had been programming all night.
5.3
A novice programmer was once assigned to code a simple financial
package.
The novice worked furiously for many days, but when his master reviewed
his program, he discovered that it contained a screen editor, a set of
generalized graphics routines, and artificial intelligence interface,
but not the slightest mention of anything financial.
When the master asked about this, the novice became indignant. “Don’t
be so impatient,” he said, “I’ll put the financial stuff in eventually.”
5.4
Does a good farmer neglect a crop he has planted?
Does a good teacher overlook even the most humble student?
Does a good father allow a single child to starve?
Does a good programmer refuse to maintain his code?