97 Things Every Java Programmer Should Know

Chapter 13. The Code Restorer

Abraham Marin-Perez

Always remember, the person we’re really working for is the person who’s restoring the piece a hundred years from now. He’s the one we want to impress.

That quote is from Hobie, a character in Donna Tartt’s novel The Goldfinch. Hobie is an antique furniture restorer. I am particularly thankful for this quote because it beautifully expresses what I’ve always thought about code: the best code is written thinking about the programmers that come after.

I think current software practices suffer from an illness caused by too much haste. Much like trees in a crowded jungle, the aim is to outgrow the competition. Trees competing for light often overstretch themselves, growing tall and thin and becoming susceptible to small disturbances. Strong winds or mild disease can make them collapse. I’m not saying we don’t need to look at short-term benefits—in fact, I encourage it—just not at the expense of long-term stability.

Today’s software industry is like these trees. Many “modern” teams focus only on the next week or month. Companies struggle just to live another day, another sprint, another cycle. And nobody seems to worry about this. Developers can always find another job, and so can managers. Entrepreneurs can try and cash out before the company has lost its value. So can the VC that backed the initial investment. Too often, the key ...