PSD In A Nutshell
[Ed. The following was originally posted on spew.whalespine.org on Aug 14, 2005. It is reposted here with my permission for essentially historical purposes.]
In a nutshell, the point of pliant software development is this. There is no software development technique or set of techniques, that is both necessary and sufficient for successful software development. If you can think of one, let me know (but remember, I have counter-examples :) )
on August 2nd, 2006 at 8:00 am
Here’s the corollary. Since there is no techniques that are both necessary and sufficient for success, each project must be evaluated in its own context and techniques appropriate to the context should be applied.
I realize this is not a trivial exercise, but then who ever said software development was trivial.
on August 8th, 2006 at 7:51 am
But I’m a reductionist who believes that all knowledge can be easily codified! I know in my heart that there must be a laminated placard somewhere that offers three simple steps that solve problems in all situations! My fully-aware AI robot insists this is true!
on August 8th, 2006 at 8:05 am
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on August 8th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
The nutshell definition almost sounds like the opening of Tao Te Ching: “The pliant software development practice that can be named is not the eternal pliant software development practice.”