Lasse's weblog - Jack Reeves on software design

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[SW Eng] Jack Reeves on software design

Darrel Norton links to Jack Reeves' classic article on the essence of software design. The part that especially rings a bell with me is when Jack writes

... the only software documentation that actually seems to satisfy the criteria of an engineering design is the source code listings.

That should also ring a bell with you if you've participated one of my trainings on refactoring, XP, or object-oriented design in general. In all of these trainings, I like to discuss about what is good code and what is good design. That quote is a nice little pepper to spice up the conversations. Another good one is a quote from Bob Martin's ASD book.

I'll post that other quote later -- I suddenly have to run...

UPDATE: Here's the Uncle Bob quote:

The design of a software project is an abstract concept. It has to do with the overall shape and structure of the program as well as the detailed shape and structure of each module, class and method. It can be represented by many different media, but its final embodiment is source code. In the end, the source code is the design.

TrackBacks[0] Comments[2] Posted by lasse on February 18, 2005 8:48:59 AM EET

Reply | Permalink Re: Jack Reeves on software design

Agreed. The basis for all methodologies should be "the source code is the sole source for the truth". :)

Comment from Darrell on February 19, 2005 8:25:10 PM EET

Reply | Permalink New Publication of Original Essay + 2 New

Hello. Sorry for adding a blatant plug to your blog, but by coincidence we just republished Mr. Reeves's original essay in developer.* Magazine. In addition, we have a new "13 Years Later" retrospective essay by the author, plus the original, previously unpublished, "Letter to the Editor" that preceded the essay. All three essays are published under the new title "Code As Design: Three Essays by Jack W. Reeves." Here is the location of the set of essays: http://www.developerdotstar.com/mag/articles/reeves_design_main.html Thanks, Daniel Read Editor, developer.* Magazine

Comment from Daniel Read on February 24, 2005 10:32:06 PM EET

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