Learning to Program

To Hack or Not to Hack

For your own good, you want to write high-quality code. You will learn more, your code will run better, and your code will be easier to fix in the future. However, sometimes a durable, long-term solution is not necessary or desirable. Develop the ability to distinguish when a short-term hack is actually better than a long-term, robust solution.

Hacking

You have been taught that hacking is a malicious attempt to gain access to secure systems: “Hack into the bank and steal a bunch of money.” Perhaps in popular culture, this is what hacking means. Among programmers, hacking does not generally carry that negative connotation. Many programmers call themselves hackers. Well-respected technology companies regularly hold events ...