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My point today is that, if we wish to count lines of code…

“My point today is that, if we wish to count lines of code, we should not regard them as "lines produced" but as "lines spent": the current conventional wisdom is so foolish as to book that count on the wrong side of the ledger.” quote by Dijkstra
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““My point today is that, if we wish to count lines of code, we should not regard them as "lines produced" but as "lines spent": the current conventional wisdom is so foolish as to book that count on the wrong side of the ledger.””

Dijkstra

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Code should be measured by effort spent, not lines produced; focusing on time investment over output.

In simple terms: Measure effort, not output.

Key Takeaway

Value time spent on code over quantity.

Themes

productivity software development efficiency mindset wisdom

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

Books:1 Code:1 Conventional wisdom:1 Ledger:1 Programming:1 Technology:1 Wisdom:1 Wisdom Foolish:1 Lines Spent:1 Wrong Ledger:1

When to use this quote

  • project planning
  • code reviews
  • budgeting
  • team management

Key Concepts

software engineering time management cost accounting

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you assess code quality beyond time?
  • What are the risks of focusing solely on effort?
A Different Perspective

May ignore quality of code and creative aspects.

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