[oclug] Evolution problem

[Brad Barnett]

On Tue, 17 Jun 2003 08:53:35 -0400 (EDT)
Phil Tanguay <ptanguay at magma.ca> wrote:

> On 16 Jun 2003, Rod Giffin wrote:
> > (I'm asking because if you don't indent loops, decision trees, and
> > class def's et al, and I'm your TA, you're doing the code over again.)
> 
> And I'll add to that : if your code is unreadable [and thus
> unmaintable], well, I wouldn't fire someone over that, but they'd get a
> talking to.
> 
> This function over form business is a crock.  Unless you can guarantee
> that you won't have any bugs AND that you'll stay with our company for
> the next 15 years, form is VERY important.

Ah, but Phil, you're not reading my sentence.  I said form _over_
function is always incorrect.  Always.  

I did not say "form is useless" or "form is not important".  I merely said
that function is PRIMARY.  

Example:

You spend three weeks writing code, but it doesn't run.  It's filled with
bugs, the client is pissed off, but what do you say to them?

"The code is indented correctly!"

Does that mean a crock of beans to anyone, if the code doesn't function? 
Not at all!  However, if the code _does_ function correctly, it is
equally important that is is readable by your clients.  Form is secondary
to function.

Example:

You have a broken down car that needs thousands in mechanical repairs, as
well as massive amounts of body work.  Where do you start?  Do you start
with the body work, even though the breaks aren't functioning?  Does it
matter how nice that car looks, if it can't stop?

Not at all! FUNCTION BEFORE FORM!

I'm all for beauty in the world.  I'm all for aesthetics.  However, this
must _never_ come at the cost of functionality.  Look at some of the GUIs
we have these days!!!!  I've seen GUIs for video player that have little
tiny 1x1 pixel buttons.  Wow, that looks great, I'll admit it, but have
you ever tried to actually _use_ that button? ;)

I've seen webpages that have a black background, with dark brown text. 
Er, sure, it looks nice, but I can't read it unless I use my mouse to
highlight the page.  It's completely illegible.  Both of these are again,
cases where form has become primary, over the function of the device, and
it is completely flawed.

Function before form, Phil.  Remember it, and you will go far in this
world.  Get it the other way around, and you're useless to society.

> 
> Not talking sides on the python issue - I've never looked at it.  But
> some smart people like it, so I'm guessing it's decent [ESR not
> withstanding].
> 

I hate to break this to you, but being intelligent does not necessarily
make you likes or dislikes correct.