Ask HN: What's your "it's not stupid if it works" story?

Article summary

The article asks for stories about using technology in unconventional ways to achieve a goal, often referred to as 'cursed hacks'. These hacks can be clever solutions to problems, but may not be the most elegant or efficient. The discussion that follows shares various examples of such hacks, ranging from modifying GitLab runners to using SQLite for inter-process communication. These stories highlight the resourcefulness and creativity of individuals in solving complex problems.

Main themes

• cursed hacks
• unconventional problem-solving
• error handling
• data storage
• templating
• workarounds
• creative solutions
• resourcefulness

What commenters say

• Some developers use unconventional methods, such as modifying existing software or using alternative tools, to achieve their goals.
• Error suppression and continuation can be useful in certain contexts, like game development, but may not be suitable for other types of code.
• Flat files can be a reliable and scalable solution for data storage, especially when concurrent updates are not necessary.
• Templating and string replacement can be achieved through various means, including sed and m4 macro processing.
• Duplicating services or using workarounds can be an effective, albeit unorthodox, solution to problems like memory leaks or service crashes.
• In some cases, fixing a crash or issue can create new problems, and the original workaround may have been a better solution.
• Using existing tools and technologies in creative ways can be more efficient and cost-effective than developing new solutions.
• The line between a 'hack' and a 'best practice' can be blurry, and what works in one context may not work in another.