Never Rewrite
‘Never Rewrite’ is a mantra of ours in the programming realm. Often times when software developers encounter nightmare codebases, the thought crosses their mind to work towards a rewrite, a port to a new language, or despair that their code is unfixable. It’s not unfixable, and we explore how to get started along with an array of other software topics in our eponymous podcast.
Episodes
We debate the merits of consolidating technology stacks versus diversifying them. Today we explore the implications of each approach on business value, engineering efficiency, and organizational dynamics. Key points include the importance of evaluating the business value of consolidation, the impact on developer fungibility, and the balance between engineering optimization and business leverage.
Jeffrey and Isaac dive into a comment made by Allen Holub to 'rebuild' instead of 'rewriting' legacy software and dive into the terminology.
Show Notes:
Allen Holub's thread mentioned: https://bsky.app/profile/allenholub.bsky.social/post/3lmcyvi3kag2f
Isaac and Jeffrey explore how to halt a rewrite, the importance of learning from the process, and how to effectively communicate changes in direction to a team. The conversation emphasizes the value of reframing discussions around rewrites to focus on new insights and solutions rather than perceived failures.
Guest Nick Gerace discusses the rewrite of the core engine at System Initiatives, detailing the challenges faced, the technical decisions made, and the importance of aligning development with business goals. The conversation covers the transition from the old engine to the new, the role of user feedback, and the iterative process that led to a more efficient and user-friendly product.
Show Notes:
Domain-Driven Design book: https:...
Guest Paul Stack shares his experiences in transforming a massive logging infrastructure from a monolithic architecture to a microservices-based system. He discusses the challenges faced during the transition, the implementation of Kafka for log management, and the importance of data retention and cost management. The conversation highlights the evolution of logging practices and the empowerment of teams through decentralization, u...
Isaac and Jeffrey discuss the challenges and signs of failing rewrites in software development.
Nick Stinemates from System Initiative joins us to explore the complexities and challenges of software rewrites. We discuss the nuances between rewrites and refactors, the pitfalls of full rewrites, and the importance of incremental changes. The conversation delves into team dynamics during rewrites, the existential reasons that can drive a rewrite, and the parallels between software rewrites and software adoption.
Show Notes:
Nick&#...
Jeffrey and Isaac explore the complex trade-off between providing immediate relief for software issues versus investing time and resources into finding a permanent cure. They discuss the implications of these choices on customer satisfaction, business budgets, and the overall health of software systems. Through real-world examples, they illustrate how sometimes quick fixes can be more practical than ideal solutions, emphasizing the...
Isaac, Dustin, and Jeffrey discuss the challenges faced by non-technical founders when working with developers. They explore issues of trust, communication, and the importance of iterative development. The discussion emphasizes the need for clear frameworks in product development, the significance of addressing technical debt and security concerns, and how to identify red flags in developer behavior. The conversation concludes with...
Guest Dan Hon discusses the complexities and risks associated with rewriting government software, particularly in the context of social security systems. He emphasizes the importance of understanding legacy systems, the role of ideology in software development, and the need for transparency and user-centered design. The discussion also touches on lessons learned from the private sector and the challenges of modernization in governm...
Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman discuss DOGE's proposed rewrite of the Social Security system, focusing on the implications of transitioning from COBOL to a modern programming language like Java. They explore the motivations behind the rewrite, the challenges of legacy code, the potential role of AI, and the human cost of possible failures. The conversation culminates in predictions about the outcome of the rewrite and the impa...
Isaac tells a 'fulfilling Friday' story about how he gained the attention of a famous tattoo artist. He just needed to act quickly and send money to secure the appointment...
Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman discuss the complexities of testing infrastructure changes with guest Rob Gonnella. They explore the importance of building a robust testing infrastructure, the role of different types of tests, and the challenges faced when transitioning to new systems. Rob shares his experiences in developing local testing environments, engaging developers, and identifying bugs through end-to-end tests. The convers...
Never Rewrite is going analog! Out of 2000 minutes over the last two years we think we've got plenty of content to coalesce it into a book. If you have a rewrite story to share, now's your chance to get forever immortalized in the podcast hosted by two randos.
Jeffrey and Isaac explore the motivations and expectations surrounding software rewrites from various stakeholders, including developers, IT leadership, product groups, marketing, finance, support, and customers. They discuss the perceived benefits and the reality of rewrites, emphasizing that while many believe rewrites will lead to improved reliability and a better work environment, the truth is that rewrites often fail to delive...
Isaac and Jeffrey discuss the complexities of managing work priorities in a constantly changing environment. They explore the challenges of putting work down when priorities shift, emphasizing the importance of iterative development and smaller work increments to minimize risk and maintain productivity. The discussion also touches on the balance between delivering features and building trust with users, particularly in the context ...
We're joined today by Dustin Rea to discuss frameworks for prioritizing technical debt in software development. We explore the 'Jobs to Be Done' framework, emphasizing the importance of aligning engineering and product teams on customer needs. The conversation covers strategies for managing tech debt effectively, the significance of team dynamics, and the role of technical leadership in guiding prioritization efforts.
Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman discuss the implications of externalizing costs in software development, particularly the consequences of pushing pain to users. They explore the differences between internal and external software, the importance of customer experience, and the cost of support when users face difficulties. The discussion highlights the ethical considerations of prioritizing features over user satisfaction and the lon...
Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman explore the dynamics between two types of developers: the 'hero' who swoops in to solve problems and the 'lifeguard' who encourages self-sufficiency. They discuss the tension that arises from these differing approaches and how to navigate conflicts between them. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balance in mentoring and the need for developers to understand when to guide a...
Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman discuss the disastrous app rewrite by Sonos, exploring the technical debt, decision-making processes, and the consequences of the rewrite. They emphasize the importance of incremental updates over big bang releases and reflect on the lessons learned from this case.
Show notes:
https://www.wsj.com/tech/sonos-speakers-app-ceo-24250f2c
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-happened-sonos-app-technica...
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