software maintenance

The Breaking Change

A developer updated a library, breaking dependent applications. Users complained loudly. The senior developer asked, “If the change improves the library, what does it break besides the code?” And then, “When something breaks, what was it depending on that you didn’t see?” Sitting with the Koan When we speak of breaking changes, we typically frame […]

The Technical Debt

“We must pay down this debt!” declared the team lead. The senior developer asked, “If you pay it all, what will you owe then?” And, “Who is the creditor of technical debt?” Reflections We speak of technical debt as if it were a financial obligation, complete with interest rates and creditors waiting impatiently for payment. […]