--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For example, say you're an average web…" description: "\"“For example, say you're an average web developer. You're familiar with a dozen programming languages, tons of helpful libraries, standards, protocols,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/anonymous-1_programming_for-example-say-you-re-an-average-web-de_1882070.jpg" --- # For example, say you're an average web developer. You're… ![“For example, say you're an average web developer. You're familiar with a dozen programming languages, tons of helpful libraries, standards, protocols, what have you. You still have to learn more at the rate of about one a week, and remember to check the hundreds of things you know to see if…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/anonymous-1_programming_for-example-say-you-re-an-average-web-de_1882070.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/anonymous-1_programming_for-example-say-you-re-an-average-web-de_1882070.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a51/anonymous-1_programming_for-example-say-you-re-an-average-web-de_1882070.jpg) > ““For example, say you're an average web developer. You're familiar with a dozen programming languages, tons of helpful libraries, standards, protocols, what have you. You still have to learn more at the rate of about one a week, and remember to check the hundreds of things you know to see if they've been updated or broken and make sure they all still work together and that nobody fixed the bug in one of them that you exploited to do something you thought was really clever one weekend when you were drunk. You're all up to date, so that's cool, then everything breaks. "Double you tee eff?" you say, and start hunting for the problem. You discover that one day, some idiot decided that since another idiot decided that 1/0 should equal infinity, they could just use that as a shorthand for "Infinity" when simplifying their code. Then a non-idiot rightly decided that this was idiotic, which is what the original idiot should have decided, but since he didn't, the non-idiot decided to be a dick and make this a failing error in his new compiler. Then he decided he wasn't going to tell anyone that this was an error, because he's a dick, and now all your snowflakes are urine and you can't even find the cat.”” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Constantly learning new tech leads to fragile dependencies and hidden bugs, making maintenance a nightmare. **In simple terms:** Tech changes cause hidden problems. Key Takeaway Stay vigilant and document changes. Themes technology maintenance complexity Mood frustrated overwhelmed Type cautionary realistic When to use this quote - web development - system updates - debugging - team coordination Key Concepts dependency management software decay learning overload Questions to Reflect On - How can you design more resilient systems? - What documentation practices help? A Different Perspective Complex systems can break from minor changes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Developer Familiar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/developer-familiar-2664431/) [Idiot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiot/) [Non Idiot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-idiot-994831/) [Original Idiot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/original-idiot-2664432/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Programming languages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming-languages/) [Shorthand Infinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shorthand-infinity-2664430/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Work together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-together/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing is more intimidating than an idiotic grin worn by a manifest non-idiot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-frank-russell/nothing-is-more-intimidating-than-an-idiotic-grin-worn-by-a-manifest/) [Eric Frank Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-frank-russell/) > [“Am I the only non-idiot on the planet?” “Yes, Morgan Toth, you are,” Gabriel piped up. “Will you be our king?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/am-i-the-only-non-idiot-on-the-planet-yes-morgan-toth-you-are-gabriel/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“Unlike in most programming languages, SQL treats null as a special value, different from zero, false, or an empty string.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/unlike-in-most-programming-languages-sql-treats-null-as-a-special/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Generative testing is an approach to testing software that was made popular by the QuickCheck library. Originally written in Haskell and since ported to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/generative-testing-is-an-approach-to-testing-software-that-was-made/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It should be noted that no ethically-trained software engineer would ever consent to write a DestroyBaghdad procedure. Basic professional ethics would instead require him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-should-be-noted-that-no-ethically-trained-software-engineer-would/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We should forget about small efficiencies, say about 97% of the time: premature optimization is the root of all evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-should-forget-about-small-efficiencies-say-about-97-of-the-time-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In programming languages, as Erann Gat has pointed out, what "industry best practice" actually gets you is not the best, but merely the average.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-programming-languages-as-erann-gat-has-pointed-out-what-industry/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We all do better when we work together. Our differences do matter, but our common humanity matters more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-all-do-better-when-we-work-together-our-differences-do-matter-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But what I want to assure and reassure the public is we are concerned about your safety, your security, and your privacy. Let's work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-what-i-want-to-assure-and-reassure-the-public-is-we-are-concerned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I survived bullying, lets work together do no one has to endure it ever again. UNITE TO END BULLYING!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-survived-bullying-lets-work-together-do-no-one-has-to-endure-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I hate the nerds that cover up their answers.. Like come on, let's work together bro.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-the-nerds-that-cover-up-their-answers-like-come-on-let-s-work/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“People believe that through the American way of life they can work together to encourage wider ownership of economic activities. In this way, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-believe-that-through-the-american-way-of-life-they-can-work/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In retrospect, it is evident that the emphasis on 'man as enemy' deflected attention away from focus on improving relationships between women and men,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-retrospect-it-is-evident-that-the-emphasis-on-man-as-enemy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The young like to compete amongst each other, but as they grow older, the more they work together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-young-like-to-compete-amongst-each-other-but-as-they-grow-older/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ I now believe there is a God...I now think it \[the evidence\] does point to a creative Intelligence almost entirely because of the DNA… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-now-believe-there-is-a-god-i-now-think-it-the-evidence-does-point/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Idiot quotes > [The truth is I've just never had any kind of plan at all for my career, which is probably not a very flattering thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-burrell/the-truth-is-i-ve-just-never-had-any-kind-of-plan-at-all-for-my/) [Ty Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-burrell/) > [Thirty guys equals five percent die-off among active wingsuit base jumpers. That means there's a flaw in our system and you're an idiot if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-potter/thirty-guys-equals-five-percent-die-off-among-active-wingsuit-base/) [Dean Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-potter/) > [You have to be an idiot to run out of gas…I just did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-burke/you-have-to-be-an-idiot-to-run-out-of-gas-i-just-did/) [Brooke Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-burke/) > [Mechanical instruments, potentially a vehicle of rational human purposes, are scarcely a blessing when they enable the gossip of the village idiot and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/mechanical-instruments-potentially-a-vehicle-of-rational-human/) [Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/) > [I need to look like an idiot at least twice a day to keep myself humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/i-need-to-look-like-an-idiot-at-least-twice-a-day-to-keep-myself/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [“But no idiot-proofing can overcome a determined idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-weir/but-no-idiot-proofing-can-overcome-a-determined-idiot/) [Andy Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-weir/) > [One or two years ago, I didn't know who I was on court and I used to swear a lot. But now I've learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-federer/one-or-two-years-ago-i-didn-t-know-who-i-was-on-court-and-i-used-to/) [Roger Federer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-federer/) > [“He came for me. I couldn’t believe it. He came for me . Into a flying palace full of thousands of armed rakshasas in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/he-came-for-me-i-couldn-t-believe-it-he-came-for-me-into-a-flying/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [Why does man behave like perfect idiot? This is the problem I wish to deal with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-szent-gyorgyi/why-does-man-behave-like-perfect-idiot-this-is-the-problem-i-wish-to/) [Albert Szent-Gyorgyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-szent-gyorgyi/) > [Without sounding like a right idiot, my mum and my dad are my role models. They devoted everything to my sister and me -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/without-sounding-like-a-right-idiot-my-mum-and-my-dad-are-my-role/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [“The woman may be a biomedical engineer, but I begin to think that she is a certifiable idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-khoury/the-woman-may-be-a-biomedical-engineer-but-i-begin-to-think-that-she/) [Jessica Khoury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-khoury/) > [“Knowledge cannot replace friendship. I'd rather be an idiot than lose you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-to-spongebob/knowledge-cannot-replace-friendship-i-d-rather-be-an-idiot-than-lose/) [Patrick to Spongebob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-to-spongebob/) > [Solemnity is the shield of idiots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/solemnity-is-the-shield-of-idiots/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I’ve noticed that you are retarded, Dr. Phil.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-leigh-stewart/i-ve-noticed-that-you-are-retarded-dr-phil/) [Christy Leigh Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-leigh-stewart/) > [“You heard what she said, idiot. She’s not dating, especially not a man her uptight daddy can’t stand the sight of.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/codi-gary/you-heard-what-she-said-idiot-she-s-not-dating-especially-not-a-man/) [Codi Gary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/codi-gary/) [Browse all 2,115 Idiot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idiot/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“For example, say you're an average web developer. You're familiar with a dozen programming languages, tons of helpful libraries, standards, protocols, what have you. You still have to learn more at the rate of about one a week, and remember to check the hundreds of things you know to see if they've been updated or broken and make sure they all still work together and that nobody fixed the bug in one of them that you exploited to do something you thought was really clever one weekend when you were drunk. You're all up to date, so that's cool, then everything breaks. \"Double you tee eff?\" you say, and start hunting for the problem. You discover that one day, some idiot decided that since another idiot decided that 1/0 should equal infinity, they could just use that as a shorthand for \"Infinity\" when simplifying their code. Then a non-idiot rightly decided that this was idiotic, which is what the original idiot should have decided, but since he didn't, the non-idiot decided to be a dick and make this a failing error in his new compiler. 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