> My theory is that all software eventually becomes difficult to maintain and full of warts, regardless of smartness, regardless of conditions.
I've come to a similar (intermediate) conclusion for now. Would certainly fit the general pattern of "all things" in this physical universe.
I think there's also a lot of subtle human psychology at play at all times in this subject. Identifying and ruminating over such "issues" implicitly elevates oneself (to peers, the community, the boss, the client, the family, to self, etc), materializes potential future employ ("this needs a total overhaul ---by me/us, according to this latest/proven/bla paradigm/methodology/platform --- or the project is doomed, I say, doomed"..), satisfies many a engineer's/programmer's inner yearning for learning to do better, inching a bit closer to perfection, lifting the whole field, etc.. our supreme tendency to fool ourselves (about ourselves and the power of one's mental and aux toolkit) on the daily that probably keeps us going so eagerly in this (frankly for mammals somewhat weird) "activity", it all comes together suspiciously neatly when one looks at others' codebases / current conditions with that "damning-professional's glance"! =)
I've come to a similar (intermediate) conclusion for now. Would certainly fit the general pattern of "all things" in this physical universe.
I think there's also a lot of subtle human psychology at play at all times in this subject. Identifying and ruminating over such "issues" implicitly elevates oneself (to peers, the community, the boss, the client, the family, to self, etc), materializes potential future employ ("this needs a total overhaul ---by me/us, according to this latest/proven/bla paradigm/methodology/platform --- or the project is doomed, I say, doomed"..), satisfies many a engineer's/programmer's inner yearning for learning to do better, inching a bit closer to perfection, lifting the whole field, etc.. our supreme tendency to fool ourselves (about ourselves and the power of one's mental and aux toolkit) on the daily that probably keeps us going so eagerly in this (frankly for mammals somewhat weird) "activity", it all comes together suspiciously neatly when one looks at others' codebases / current conditions with that "damning-professional's glance"! =)