Features and Changes are Not Like Choosing Food in a Restaurant

When it comes to programming, implementing features or making changes is often misunderstood. People sometimes think it’s as simple as ordering food at a restaurant: look at a menu, pick what you want, and wait for it to arrive. Unfortunately, the reality of software development is far more complex and nuanced. Let’s explore why this analogy falls apart.

The “Menu” is Not Fixed

At a restaurant, the menu is predefined. You can’t ask for a dish that isn’t there (unless you’re a culinary rebel). But in programming, there is no fixed menu. Everything is custom-built. The “dish” you want might not exist yet, and creating it requires:

• Planning: Deciding what exactly the dish should consist of.
• Experimentation: Figuring out how to combine ingredients (code) to achieve the desired flavor (functionality).

This is especially true for complex or innovative features that have no direct precedent.

Customization Takes Time

When you’re ordering a meal, even if you request substitutions or minor changes, the chef can usually accommodate you within minutes. In programming, even small changes can cascade into:

• Refactoring existing code: Making sure the new feature works without breaking other parts of the system.
• Testing: Verifying that the feature behaves as expected under all conditions.
• Integration: Ensuring the new code blends seamlessly with what already exists.

A seemingly simple “swap the side salad for fries” in programming could mean reworking how the entire “kitchen” operates.

Dependencies Add Complexity

In a restaurant, your order is self-contained. You don’t have to worry about how it affects other patrons or the restaurant’s workflow. In software development, every change has potential ripple effects. For example:

• Adding a feature may require updates to shared libraries or APIs.
• A bug fix might inadvertently break other unrelated parts of the application.
• Some “ingredients” (third-party dependencies) may not even be available, requiring you to make your own or change the dish entirely.

Stakeholders Have Different Tastes

When you’re dining out, your preferences are the only ones that matter. In programming, every decision must account for multiple stakeholders:

• Users: Will this feature actually improve their experience?
• Developers: Is the implementation maintainable?
• Business: Does it align with the company’s goals?

Balancing these competing priorities is more like running a kitchen than being a diner.

Iteration is the Norm

In a restaurant, you expect to get the exact dish you ordered the first time. In programming, iteration is unavoidable. The first “version” of a feature might:

• Not fully meet expectations.
• Reveal unforeseen challenges or requirements.
• Require feedback and refinement before it’s ready for prime time.

This iterative process is more akin to perfecting a recipe than ordering a meal.