TimKadlec.com

A question I get asked often through emails and other discussions is how I feel about frameworks and libraries, both for scripting and for CSS.

Sometimes code turns ugly. Over time, our code becomes bloated, difficult to maintain and what should be simple little fixes can quickly turn into long walks through messy syntax. One way of combating this is by implementing the 5S System.

When coding and designing there are a lot of steps and techniques that may seem trivial and appear to have little importance in the grand scheme of things. If we take the time to do those things right, however, just imagine the high quality finished product we will have.

All developers at one point or another will have to work with code that they didn’t develop. Whether we are replacing the person who created the application, or simply trying to work on a project developed by someone else in house, this is always a bit of an interesting experience.

I came across a post the other day by Guy Davis about 3 Levels of Programmers. In it, he stated that programmers fall into one of 3 Levels, the Good, the Lazy, and the Bad. According to his post, the bad are those that say “I can do that myself!”, and then create a solution that is rather messy.

A lot of people will tell you not to try and reinvent the wheel. If a script has been written, or a styling effect developed that accomplishes what you want, why spend time trying to create the effect yourself?