Unix Philosophy Quotes

Chapter 5-"Now THAT'S Leverage" discusses the idea of "software leverage," where reusing components results in greater impact. We see how the use of shell scripts achieves a high degree of leverage.

They learned that small programs, like small cars, handled better, were more adaptable, and were easier to maintain than large programs.

NIH syndrome is characterized by a decision to discard all of what the other developer accomplished with the intent of demonstrating a superior solution. Such an act of sheer egotism demonstrates little interest in preserving the best of another's work and using it as a springboard to newer heights.

When you see the right thing, do it—this may look like more work in the short term, but it’s the path of least effort in the long run. If you don’t know what the right thing is, do the minimum necessary to get the job done, at least until you figure out what the right thing is. To do the Unix philosophy right, you have to be loyal to excellence. You have to believe that software design is a craft worth all the intelligence, creativity, and passion you can muster. Otherwise you won’t look past the easy, stereotyped ways of approaching design and implementation; you’ll rush into coding when you should be thinking. You’ll carelessly complicate when you should be relentlessly simplifying—and then you’ll wonder why your code bloats and debugging is so hard.

Small is beautiful.

Make each program do one thing well.

Build a prototype as soon as possible.

Choose portability over efficiency.

Store data in flat text files.

Use software leverage to your advantage.

Use shell scripts to increase leverage and portability.

Avoid captive user interfaces.

Make every program a filter.