Once upon a time, making software was a bit like making art. Coders back then poured their hearts into their work, polishing their code till it shone. Launching something new wasn’t just about it working; it was a celebration of the craft, born from sweat, love, and a little bit of magic.
Speed Over Beauty
But as times changed, so did the focus. The business world started craving speed. “Faster, quicker, yesterday!” became the mantra. Agile and rapid releases kicked the careful crafting of code to the curb. This rush meant the beauty of coding, the art of it, got lost in the shuffle.
The Price of Hurrying
And this hustle culture in coding wasn’t cheap. A report by some smart folks at the Consortium for IT Software Quality pointed out that all this rushed, sloppy code was costing buckets of money—like $2 trillion in a year . From software breaking to getting hacked, the costs were everywhere.
A Spark of Hope
Yet, not all hope is lost. There’s a much-needed and personally exciting change in the culture of my fellow programmer - in the tech world, about getting back to coding with care. From peer reviews to pair programming and rigorous testing, old-school craftsmanship is making a comeback. Plus, open-source projects are where coders are flexing their craftsmanship muscles, showing off what it means to code with care.
The Road Ahead
For a real change, though, we need a shift in mindset. Businesses need to value long-lasting quality. The wise ones in tech need to teach the young guns the art of beautiful code. If we nail this, we might just enter a new golden era of coding, where software isn’t just functional; it’s fantastically well-crafted.
Your Part in the Craftsmanship Revival
If you’re in the tech game, you’ve got a role in this revival. Whether you’re the one typing away, leading the team, or steering the ship, championing quality and craftsmanship can make a world of difference. Let’s aim to create software that’s not just practical but also a masterpiece of our dedication and skill.