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RailsConf 2017: The Good Bad Bug: Learning to Embrace Mistakes by Jess Rudder The history of programming is filled with examples of bugs that actually turned out to be features and limitations that pushed developers to make an even more interesting product. We’ll journey through code that was so ‘bad’ it was actually good. Then we’ll learn to tame our inner perfectionists so our code will be even better than it is today.
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In her talk "The Good Bad Bug: Learning to Embrace Mistakes," presented at RailsConf 2017, Jess Rudder explores the valuable lessons that can be drawn from failure in programming and beyond. By examining the history of programming and the aviation industry's approach to failure, she emphasizes that mistakes should not be viewed negatively but rather as opportunities for growth and learning. Key Points Discussed: - **Understanding Failure**: Rudder defines failure as deviation from expected results and highlights its role in the development process. - **Learning from Failure**: She discusses how the aviation industry leverages failures for safety improvements, contrasting it with the often blame-oriented approach in the automotive sector. - **Historical Examples**: Rudder shares anecdotes from video game development: - The unexpected gameplay mechanics of "Space Invaders" taught developers to embrace mistakes that led to greater game dynamics. - The creation of the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise stemmed from a coding error that resulted in a more engaging gaming experience. - Developers faced challenges with the "Silent Hill" game, overcoming technical limitations by creatively utilizing fog, which became a defining feature of the series. - **Implementing a Learning System**: Rudder proposes a three-pronged approach for developers to benefit from failure: - Avoid blaming individuals, focusing instead on system-wide learning. - Document all failures, even minor ones, to help identify patterns and prevent future mistakes. - Analyze documented data to facilitate better understanding of both successful and problematic coding scenarios. - **Cultural Change**: Her insight extends to fostering a culture in engineering that rewards transparency and learning from mistakes, which in return enhances team performance and product outcomes. In conclusion, Rudder encourages developers to view bugs and errors as essential learning experiences that can ultimately lead to better code and innovative solutions. The systemic embrace of failure, rather than fear of it, can transform the development process, highlighting that every bug can potentially become a feature when lessons are learned effectively.
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