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> I thought Linus' comments on docs might provoke some discussion here.
A bit of clarification: Torvalds is talking about development specs,
not documentation generally.
And, if you strip away the hyberbole (which, BTW, is typical of
Torvald's sense of humor), all he is really saying is that specs are
working guidelines that should be revised as necessary.
Within his context, he's absolutely right. Being locked into specs
is one of the most common reasons for problems in a software
product.
However, I admit I feel much the same about preliminary planning for
any project. A bit of foresight at the start can save you weeks of
effort later on, but your knowledge of what a project needs should
grow and change with your involvement. If it doesn't, then either
you are much more prepared than I'll ever be (and Torvalds, too,
apparently), or you're doing something wrong. In most cases, I
suspect the second reason.
--
Bruce Byfield, Progeny Linux Systems
Contributing Editor, Maximum Linux
604.421.7177 bbyfield -at- progeny -dot- com
"You bought all the props for a world that never was,
Now there's holes in the mirrors and less and less applause,
We are all ungrateful bastards, like a dog that bit your hand,
All these years and you still don't understand."
- OysterBand, "Too Late Now"
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