In software development, we all strive to find efficient and creative methods. But could an extreme approach, like rewriting code daily, actually be effective? In this article, we introduce a new approach to software development. This isn’t just about writing better code through repetition. It’s a powerful heuristic that shifts the engineering paradigm by starting anew each day.
The Core of “Start Anew Every Day”
This method involves starting the day’s work on a feature, and if it isn’t completed by the end of the day, delete everything and start over the next day. While this may seem inefficient at first glance, it’s actually the opposite. This approach shares similarities with the extreme programming movement but can yield even greater results.
The Effect of Code Rewriting
A junior engineer discovered this method by accident after their laptop malfunctioned. After solving the problem, they saved the code in a branch and rewrote it, surprisingly achieving better results in just 25% of the time compared to the initial implementation. By rewriting the code from scratch each day, the process isn’t just repetitive—it’s about continually finding better solutions, which plays a crucial role in maximizing code quality.
Quantity Leads to Quality
Stalin’s quote, “Quantity has a quality of its own,” can be applied to software development. Especially for junior engineers, writing the first 100,000 lines of code is essential. The “start anew every day” method helps you write those 100,000 lines faster, allowing you to recognize patterns and reorganize your neural connections.
Finding the Optimal Path to Solutions
An engineer’s key role is to find the optimal path in a problem space. Applying various heuristics and algorithms to find better paths is the route to becoming a better engineer. The methodology introduced in this article goes beyond just code writing—it helps set the lower bound for problem-solving and aids in finding the optimal path.
Conclusion: A Recommendation for Better Software Development
It’s time for you to try the “start anew every day” method. It may initially feel difficult and inefficient, but through the repeated rewriting process, you’ll write better code. This method is more than just repetitive coding—it’s about pattern recognition and neural reorganization, ultimately leading to better software.
Reference: Grantslatton.com, “Our Software Development Algorithms”