GIMTEC By Llorenç Muntaner - 🎒 Stop Saying That We "Build" Software

Hey 👋,

A superficial stupid topic, but I think that it is the root of many miscommunications with non-technical people.

Let me know what you think by replying and don't forget to spread the word 🗣

Not A New Idea

In 1975, a book on software development already mentioned it.

“Stop saying that we build software, and say we GROW software.” Fred Brooks, Mythical Man-Month, 1975

Agile Manifesto

It was not until more than 25 years after that quote that the idea got popular with the Agile Manifesto. In that manifesto, there is a principle that, in my opinion, is key to the difference between “build” and “grow”:

Deliver working software frequently.

Build versus Grow

There are no frequent deliveries when building a bridge, a skyscraper, or a house. Instead, there is one delivery: the last one.

Nowadays, we agree that software is about continuous delivery, that software “grows.” We don’t approach software development with the same methodology as a bridge or a building. Yet, we still use the same verb: “build.”

A Garden

Rather than the comparison with a building, you might have heard the comparison with a garden. A software application is more like a garden than a building. It needs constant attention, it’s organic, it can grow bigger. And if you don’t take care of it, it might die with time.

Software development is like gardening.

It Won’t Happen

I am aware that this won’t change. I know that even I will keep saying “build” instead of “grow.”. But at least I would have liked to learn this before.

And I hope that you also appreciate learning about it. Or if you knew about it, that you share it with others.

If you like this post, consider sharing it with your friends on twitter or forwarding this email to them 🙈

Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or see an error. I highly appreciate it.

And thanks to Michal and Sebastià for reviewing this article 🙏