Complicated Quote by Bill Gates
“Creating a piece of software is always complicated because you're doing something new. If you just wanted something that had been done before you'd just use that old piece of software. So there are no repetitive tasks.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Microsoft interview, 1995
Software creation is inherently complex because each project introduces new challenges; reuse of existing solutions avoids novelty.
In simple terms: New software is always complex; reusing old software is simple.
Embrace novelty, but leverage existing tools when possible.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- building a new app
- upgrading legacy systems
- learning new programming languages
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance innovation with reuse?
- What practices reduce complexity in new projects?
Complexity can be mitigated by modular design and documentation.