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programming and human factors
by Jeff Atwood
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Thanks to my friend Geoff Dalgas for pointing out this interesting article at kuro5hin.org, which analyzes the comments inside the recently leaked Microsoft Windows NT/2k code. Very amusing, with some surprising insights into the mindset of the coders working at Microsoft:
In the struggle to meet deadlines, I think pretty much all programmers have put in comments they might later regret, including swearwords and acerbic comments about other code or requirements. Also, any conscientious coder will put in prominent comments warning others about the trickier parts of the code. Comments like "UGLY TERRIBLE HACK" tend to indicate good code rather than bad: in bad code ugly terrible hacks are considered par for the course. It would therefore be both hypocritical and meaningless to go through the comments looking for embarrassments. But also fun, so let's go.
Okay, call me insane and bored, but I'm reading your blog from the beginning ;-)
Just wanted to mention that the above link to mercurynews doe not work anoy more.
It this fucks up your list of last (relevant up-to-date) comments, just delete me.
Christoph on September 13, 2007 12:49 PMNo problem! Enjoy! But if you're going to take the time to point out my linkrot, why not point out a new, VALID link I can replace it with while you're at it. :)
Jeff Atwood on September 13, 2007 1:32 PMI'm assuming this was the original story
http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2004/2/15/71552/7795
Spencer on October 25, 2007 7:24 PMHeh. Seems like I'm not the only one browsing through early posts (especially after the most recent post 'How To Achieve Ultimate Blog Success In One Easy Step').
DH on October 27, 2007 8:11 AMHeh, yeah, it's funny, we're like a secret little group milling about in the darker corners of a museum checking out the relics while the masses enjoy the snazzy new exhibition(s) up front. Quiet back here isn't it. :)
Charles Roper on October 29, 2007 10:41 AMNot as quite as one might think.
Ben Blok on October 30, 2007 6:45 AMWow. I thought I was the only one reading these old blog posts. Nice. :)
Patrick on October 30, 2007 8:06 PMOld news is no news. Just when I thought I'd caught up to mercurynews, I got booted out.
plutonews on October 30, 2007 10:31 PMAdd me to this "L33T" group of people reading the OLD posts.
Arron on October 31, 2007 2:36 PMI'm here too... that's an interesting article, by the way. :D
Joe on October 31, 2007 11:26 PMHaha, hello all. You know for extra 1337N355, you can manually change the URL to get to the magical 000001.html!
Phil on November 4, 2007 12:48 AMThis is what you get for appearing in a google tab...
deworde on November 7, 2007 2:01 AMdid i win for most recent post? Been reading on the RSS for a couple of months now. Figured i would read the old stuff over the holidays and see how the blog has morphed.
John on November 20, 2007 3:28 PMHA!!!
i found something to do with the six hour or more dead time in our timezones!!! reading old posts. jeff, i really really enjoy your blog. your links and tips have enrichened my experience.
MKJS on December 16, 2007 9:23 PMI would have to add my kudos as well. Most of these posts are useful. And the ones that aren't are at least entertaining.
Jeff Davis on March 21, 2008 12:20 PMcount me too !
Ahmed Barakat on May 1, 2008 11:02 PM@Phil,
I'm a fan of 000002.html. qwE^6@235 is my new "strong" password, shhh.
Chuck Rector on May 8, 2008 11:03 PMApparently I'm not the only person on earth nerdy enough to read 4 year old blog posts :>
Nikola on May 16, 2008 6:21 AMMaybe we could form a Facebook group - the Coding Horror Historical Society. :)
Alex on May 22, 2008 6:18 PMAnyone have any insight as to if it's better to read backwards or farwards through blogs?
Vaerer on June 25, 2008 9:00 AMDefinitely we computer people have the most odd behaviors. Yes I am reading this whole blog as well. From the beggining skipping what you dont care about its about the correct thing (reading backwards will have you jumping everywhere once the authors names one post in the way to the forgotten realms)
Also, I wonder How much I can learn reading Mr Atwood
Cheers!
Last post! (For the moment, at least.)
Ed on July 31, 2008 6:52 AMYou're not the last post now! haha.
Just tried posting to 000001, but it errored, bummer, I was going to claim the 'Hacker No1' title...
Gonna add some comments in my own code now
Dave Arkell on August 4, 2008 6:56 AMWhat an interesting blog! I wish I'd discovered it earlier than a couple weeks ago, but I'm glad these old entires are still here so I can catch up!
Eric on August 7, 2008 3:02 PMI discovered your blog today at work, and here I am reading your backlog. Nice to meet the other lurkers as well!
James on December 22, 2008 9:34 AMfds
jeff atwood on January 6, 2009 1:53 PMThis is awesome!!
Blog spelunkers.
Good stuff here, could use an index...
Penfold on May 28, 2009 10:21 PM"we computer people have the most odd behaviors" - Draco
I didn't realise how insane I was until I read that. Thanks for slapping me in the face and reminding me to get back to something more productive.
Well, after I've written this comment explaining my current plan of action of course.
Matt Burns on June 30, 2009 3:57 PMEver since reading that article I started using labels "ugly terrible XXX" and "no good very bad" in my own code. We programmers are really a bunch of scary insane people.
Silma on August 10, 2009 4:49 AMWow- are we still doing this? Just yesterday, no less!
Petskull on August 11, 2009 7:51 PM| Content (c) 2009 Jeff Atwood. Logo image used with permission of the author. (c) 1993 Steven C. McConnell. All Rights Reserved. |
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