Jan said:

> ...We are in complete agreement...I think.

Yes, I think so too. What much of it comes down to is that code isn't
primarily a method for humans to communicate with machines but rather
for humans to communicate with humans: themselves, other developers
working at the same time, and future developers. I totally agree that
having too much "documentation" (in the broad sense of "other stuff
that isn't source code") isn't helpful - the trick is getting just the
right amount to communicate with maximum clarity.

> Unless of course you just start the project as if it were already in
> maintenece.....

Yes, indeed. Of course, you don't always have that luxury.
 
>> and the initial developers might
>> not even be available for consultation. 
> 
> Strange how the suspects allways seem to disaper.

People move on. What's the mean time spent in a job in the software
industry: two or three years?

> So Rich, don't blame a lack of documentation for poorly factored code.
> Instead of "If these idiots would just have documented...", think "If
> these idiots would just have writen Unit Tests or Contracts, written
> clear code with short methods and discriptive naming, used codeing
> conventions like verticle alignment, used comments when the intent was
> not obvious, and documented thier intent in a short and concise
> manner."

Amen.

> Agile Maru

Rich
VFP Extreme
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