Comment by Zambyte
1 year ago
> 90% of software development happens in the mind.
Why? The only reason I can think of for this to be true is when there is high risk in writing wrong code. For example, long compile times leading to a large sunken cost, or a lack of testing processes.
Unless you're doing R&D, only spending 10% of your "coding" time actually writing code seems very low, and you should try to optimize the processes that are lacking.
I personally have a pipeline of multiple tasks I'm thinking about in background. It easily could take a week to get details in my brain. During coding I get already worked out tasks. Most of the time it's a final design. My colleagues considers me as a 10x developer. 10% coding looks very real in my case.
The highest risk in writing code is that the code written will have a negative value; i.e. it will incur more development cost over its lifetime than it will recoup via its intended effects.
Hastily written, poorly justified or reasoned code has a much higher likelihood of having this flaw, so that’s why I would say you are wrong about this.