roy

Oracle exec hits out at patch mentality regarding software development. She then goes on to use the ever-popular bridge analogy: "What if civil engineers built bridges the way developers write code?" she asked. "What would happen is that you would get the blue bridge of death appearing on your highway in the morning."

Let me put the analogy in another way. When it comes to software (and I'll extend the bridge analogy), what it really is like is this:

MAYOR: Bridge maker. I require a bridge.

BRIDGEMAKER: Yes, sir. How long is the river?

MAYOR: I'm not sure, but it should be able to handle rivers of many different lengths. if the river becomes wider, make sure the bridge is able to handle that. Immediately, we need it to pass over the South River, but one day we may want to move it to the North River. Just be sure we can move it on over if possible. We've read blog posts about highly-paid consultants talking about this methodology.

BRIDGEMAKER: Um, ok. I guess that might be possible. How long do I have to build this?

MAYOR: Somebody in India told me they can do it in two weeks. So two weeks should be fine.

BRIDGEMAKER: Are you crazy? A bridge in two weeks?

MAYOR: No, and I also expect the bridge to cost $500 in labor. That's also what the Indians quoted me in terms of pricing. Now don't give me that look. My little nephew built his own bridge over a creek in his backyard. Sure, it was just a series of wooden planks, but the concept is the same. I expect since you are a "professional" you can do this by yourself with no outside help. That should help keep labor costs down.

BRIDGEMAKER: I noticed there are no roads to connect this bridge. Do you know why you want this bridge?

MAYOR: I read in some magazine that this other town built a bridge and it helped their commerce! I'm sure once I build this bridge, even if there are no roads or people nearby, it will help our commerce. I sort of expect it to be self-sutaining, you know?

MAYOR: By the way, there are a bunch of militant rebels in these areas. Can you make sure the bridge can protect itself? The militants will be on the prowl for ways to blow up the bridge, and I can't afford another police officer to monitor the bridge.

MAYOR: Speaking of which, we're running a bit short on cash. I remember reading hte Romans used to make bridges with stone, and our town can't afford steel. So could you use stone instead of steel? There's a quarry about half a mile away; I'm sure you'll figure out how to make it all work.

So our diligent Bridgemaker, hampered by costs and time with a Mayor who doesn't quite know what the purpose of the bridge is goes off to work. A week later he's approached by the Mayor.

MAYOR: By the way, I was thinking... and I'm sure this will be no problem. But can you also make the bridge a landing strip? I'd like to use it as an airport as well. I figure it wont' be too much more trouble making the lanes a bit wider; that's all you really need, right?

The Bridgemaker was found dead the next morning.