“Many people, including more than a few in the software industry, liken building software to constructing cathedrals or skyscrapers – after all why do we use “architect” for senior programmers? But building software exists in a world of uncertainty unknown to the physical world. Software’s customers have only a rough idea of what features they need in a product and learn more as the software is built – particularly once early versions are released to their users. The building blocks of software development – languages, libraries, and platforms – change significantly every few years. The equivalent in the physical world would be that customers usually add new floors and change the floor-plan once half the building is built and occupied, while the fundamental properties of concrete change every other year.”
Link: Is High Quality Software Worth the Cost?
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