Software disenchantment (tonsky.me)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's frustration with the software industry's lack of focus on efficiency, simplicity, and excellence, leading to bloated and slow software. The author argues that this is in contrast to other industries, such as car manufacturing, where performance and efficiency are highly valued. The article also touches on the issue of software bloat, where apps and operating systems become increasingly large and complex, leading to slower performance and increased resource usage. The author calls for a return to focusing on building quality, fast, and efficient software.

Main themes

• software bloat
• efficiency
• simplicity
• quality
• industry priorities
• technology choices
• development methodologies
• business pressures

What commenters say

• Some commenters argue that the car analogy is not a good comparison, as the auto industry's focus on efficiency is driven by different factors than the software industry.
• Others believe that the pursuit of efficiency and simplicity in software is not as important as other factors, such as compatibility and feature sets.
• There is disagreement about whether the software industry's focus on rapid development and deployment is to blame for the lack of emphasis on efficiency and quality.
• Some commenters argue that the use of certain technologies, such as Electron, is a major contributor to software bloat and inefficiency.
• Others propose that a more modular approach to software development could help to reduce bloat and improve efficiency.
• A few commenters suggest that the industry's focus on web apps and cloud-based services is a major driver of software bloat and inefficiency.
• There is also discussion about the role of project managers and business priorities in driving the focus on rapid development and deployment over efficiency and quality.