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Blog Post: Complexity #12

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@ -27,13 +27,13 @@ Before being able to manage complexity, it must be identified. In addition to t
* Humans: No two are the same. DNA on its own is complex; factoring in the expression of that DNA is beyond the understanding of any single person. * Humans: No two are the same. DNA on its own is complex; factoring in the expression of that DNA is beyond the understanding of any single person.
## Complex Software is Undesirable ## Complex Software is Undesirable
All software is complex; it is one of the most complex man-made things. Physical creations such as space ships, submarines, and skyscrapers may be complex, but they are limited by the laws of physics. Software has no such limit. [FreeBSD](https://www.freebsd.org/) is an operating system that powers parts of [Netflix](https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Netflix-NUMA-FreeBSD-Optimized), [WhatsApp](https://www.quora.com/Why-did-WhatsApp-choose-FreeBSD-over-Linux), and [PlayStation 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4_system_software). Using [scc](https://github.com/boyter/scc), a tool to evaluate the size of codebases, it estimates it would take about 16 years with 500 people to recreate FreeBSD 12.1. All software is complex; it is one of the most complex man-made things. Physical creations such as space ships, submarines, and skyscrapers may be complex, but they are limited by the laws of physics. Software has no such limit. For example, [FreeBSD](https://www.freebsd.org/) is an operating system that powers parts of [Netflix](https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Netflix-NUMA-FreeBSD-Optimized), [WhatsApp](https://www.quora.com/Why-did-WhatsApp-choose-FreeBSD-over-Linux), and [PlayStation 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4_system_software). Using [scc](https://github.com/boyter/scc), a tool to evaluate the size of codebases, it estimates it would take about 16 years with 500 people to recreate FreeBSD 12.1.
While some complexity is unavoidable, it is best minimized. Here are a few reasons to minimize the complexity of software: While some complexity is unavoidable, it is best minimized. Here are a few reasons to minimize the complexity of software:
* Expensive changes: As software gets more complex, the cost to change increases exponentially. A module bound to several business concerns is more expensive than a module that does one thing. Engineers, business representatives, and managers need to work together instead of just handing a simple task to an engineer. * Expensive changes: As software gets more complex, the cost to change increases exponentially. A module bound to several business concerns is more expensive than a module that does one thing. Engineers, business representatives, and managers need to work together instead of just handing a simple task to an engineer.
* Time: While money can be acquired, time is scarce. If a project becomes expensive, some larger companies can handle it. If the software is complex enough, the bottleneck becomes time and at that point it is too late. By analogy, if the task is to carry a cup of water 100 meters, it could be put in a car(expensive, but fast) and cover the distance quickly. If the water must be converted to steam and then back to water, it will take much longer, and the car will not help with delivering it on time. * Time: While money can be acquired, time is scarce. If a project becomes expensive, some larger companies can handle it. If the software is complex enough, the bottleneck becomes time, at which point it is too late. Cars travel quickly on highways, partly due to their straight path (simple). If the only way to get from A to B is a winding mountain road (complex), more time will be needed than the highway, no matter how fast a car you buy.
* Engineer retention: Engineers who work on simple software run into less frustrating walls. This is more fulfilling work, and will keep engineers on the team. Engineers are less likely to take ownership of problems and code if it is part of a complex mess. * Engineer retention: Engineers who work on simple software run into less frustrating walls. This is more fulfilling work, and will keep engineers on the team. Engineers are less likely to take ownership of problems and code if it is part of a complex mess.