Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> these "laws" contain so many internal contradictions

Also notice how many of the so-called _software laws_ are actually statements about human behaviour and people-problems.

Confirmation bias, Dunning-Kruger Effect, Sunk-Cost Fallacy, Ringlemann Effect, Price's Law, Putt's Law, Conway's Law, Brook's Law, Peter Principle, Hanlon's Razor, Amara's Law...

Of the 59 "laws", only a small number are guiding principles specifically about planning and software.

Human behaviour is hard to change -- the same dysfunction can be seen everywhere. As a fundamental principle, you need to use the right/best tool for the job; you will know when you are using the wrong tool/solution because you'll spend a significant amount of time trying to correct/mask the unwanted consequences.

And if you enter a shop where many tools are wrong... consider going to work in a different shop.

 help



Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: