eXtreme Programing and Agile Voodoo

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

Agile is for managers who don't know how to code to control coders.

Agile Software Development methodology
Agile voodoo diagram. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Agile_Software_Development_methodology.svg

One characteristics of these voodoo is lots jargons and use of fancy diagrams. Does it not look like a get rich fast scheme?

of all things programing, agile is the scumbagist of them all.

agile, appeals and is sold to mostly non-programer managers, as a way to control coders. Make coder as ditchable cog in a wheel. Make coders spy each other, and eliminate the sense of pride, craftmanship, and code-ownership. It's lead, in large part, by the biggest charlatan in programing community: Martin Fowler.

If you hear “eXtreme Programing”, it's voodoo. One of its premise is “pair-programing”, meaning, 2 programers get together, then you code while i suck, then i code while you suck.

XP was the rage around 2001, with tens of books written on the subject. But it has subsided, and mutated to perhaps a milder form called Agile Programing. When XP was hot, in the same time is the “design patterns” movement. Then, it bursted into a hoard of “anti-patterns”.

What these voodoo encourage is less brain, less knowledge, less responsibility, less creativity. Instead, it emphasize collaboration, good attitude, follow the template, kiss the management.

In particular, it's loved by managers who can't write code.

What “methodology” should you use? Understand mathematics, be knowledgeable, be healthy, and good general education such as history, philosophy, literature, and, be a nice person.

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