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

Way back in the day, my boss made a lovely observation - 'write your code like it's going to be maintained by an axe murderer who has your home address, and nothing to lose.'

Simple guidelines to live your life by ;)




Attribution: “Always code as if the guy who ends up maintaining your code will be a violent psychopath who knows where you live.” — John F Woods, 1991 in comp.lang.c++¹

(I do not know who first replied, ‘I do know where I live.’)

¹ https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/comp.lang.c++/rYCO5yn4...


Did he call it "his" observation? I am yet to find a likeable person quoting this.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

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

Search: