Code Quote by Brian Kernighan
“Don't document bad code - rewrite it.”
About This Quote
Bad code should be replaced, not just documented, because documentation masks problems.
In simple terms: Fix code, don’t just note flaws.
Key Takeaway
Rewrite to improve quality.
Themes
software quality
maintenance
best practices
Mood
practical
critical
Type
advice
technical
When to use this quote
- software development
- code reviews
- team collaboration
Key Concepts
technical debt
code hygiene
Questions to Reflect On
- How does rewriting affect project timelines?
- When is documentation sufficient?
A Different Perspective
Documentation alone cannot eliminate underlying issues.
![“Another effective [debugging] technique is to explain your code to someone else. This will often cause you to explain the bug to yourself. Sometimes it takes no more than a few sentences, followed by an embarrassed "Never mind, I see what's wrong. Sorry to bother you." This works remarkably well…” quote by Brian Kernighan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fb9/brian-kernighan-27197_bears_another-effective-debugging-technique-is_1618728.jpg)
![“I kind of pride myself on coming onto things that are well-oiled machines and finding a way to bring what I bring and fit in, and raise it to another level if I can. And this [Code Black ] has been another one of those really fun success stories, much like Parks And Recreation, although obviously…” quote by Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea3/rob-lowe-855_black_i-kind-of-pride-myself-on-coming-onto-th_6557.jpg)
![“[T]he tax code has been piling up, year after year, a symbol of everything gone wrong in America, of arrogant rulers and lost freedom, just waiting for us to pick the whole thing up and heave it away. It has to happen. Free people can put up with such laws only for so long.” quote by Dick Armey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aed/dick-armey-16265_america_t-he-tax-code-has-been-piling-up-year-af_12886.jpg)