Software Laws

Some “laws” that are particularly relevant in software development…

Parkinson’s law

Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law

 

Goodhart’s law

When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodhart%27s_law

For example, demanding 100% of code coverage may result in developers writing more tests but of lesser quality, just to meet the goal. In extreme cases, tests without asserts.

 

Hofstadter’s Law

It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter’s Law.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofstadter%27s_law

 

Conway’s Law

Any organization that designs a system will produce a design whose structure is a copy of the organization’s communication structure.

In plain English, I would describe it as: Software architecture reflects team organization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway%27s_law

 

 

 

 

Tags: conwayslaw, goodhartslaw, hofstadterslaw, laws, parkinsonslaw