Andrew Hunt Quotes & Sayings

Don't gloss over a routine or piece of code involved in the bug because you "know" it works. Prove it. Prove it in this context, with this data, with these boundary conditions. — Andrew Hunt

You Can't Write Perfect Software. Did that hurt? It shouldn't. Accept it as an axiom of life. Embrace it. Celebrate it. Because perfect software doesn't exist. No one in the brief history of computing has ever written a piece of perfect software. It's unlikely that you'll be the first. And unless you accept this as a fact, you'll end up wasting time and energy chasing an impossible dream. — Andrew Hunt

The editor will be an extension of your hand; the keys will sing as they slice their way through text and thought. — Andrew Hunt

But while you can always write 'spaghetti code' in a procedural language, object-oriented languages used poorly can add meatballs to your spaghetti. — Andrew Hunt

Well, software doesn't quite work that way. Rather than construction, software is more like gardening - it is more organic than concrete. You plant many things in a garden according to an initial plan and conditions. Some thrive, others are destined to end up as compost. — Andrew Hunt

If there was a risk that the vendor wouldn't come through for you, then you should have had a contingency plan. — Andrew Hunt

Don't be a slave to history. Don't let existing code dictate future code. All code can be replaced if it is no longer appropriate. Even within one program, don't let what you've already done constrain what you do next -- be ready to refactor... This decision may impact the project schedule. The assumption is that the impact will be less than the cost of /not/ making the change. — Andrew Hunt

The greatest of all weaknesses is the fear of appearing weak. — Andrew Hunt

As Pragmatic Programmers, our base material isn't wood or iron, it's knowledge. We gather requirements as knowledge, and then express that knowledge in our designs, implementations, tests, and documents. — Andrew Hunt

perfect software doesn't exist. No one in the brief history of computing has ever written a piece of perfect software. — Andrew Hunt

It is enough. This is the right place." Brigham Young uttered those words when his wagon reached the mouth of Emigration Canyon and he gazed out at this valley. — Andrew Hunt

We who cut mere stones must always be envisioning cathedrals. — Andrew Hunt