Sometimes, doing things incrementally hurts more than it helps

Usually the best way to make a major change to a piece of code is to try to break it down into small changes and to keep the code working the same after each such small change. The idea being that if you make too many changes and break the code too badly, you might never get it working again. Without working code it can be difficult to figure out what the next step should be.

But sometimes, incremental changes just don't work. In particular, if you're making major architectural changes, trying to construct something that is 90% original architecture and 10% new architecture is going to involve just as much extra work to try to make the incompatible pieces fit. In these cases, sometimes the only thing you can do is take the whole thing to pieces and put it back together again the way you want it.

3 Responses to “Sometimes, doing things incrementally hurts more than it helps”

  1. Vel says:

    Hey,

    I'm not sure whether you are aware of this, but Creat Studios has made a updated version of Digger called Digger HD exclusively for the PS3. It has updated graphics but the same gameplay and also has the ability to play the original version, all in 1080p! :) I have yet to buy it but I will be doing so very soon.

    Cheers,
    Vel

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