Why is software design so hard?
Comments: Maybe because, unlike Plauger, almost all authors tend to advocate for their particular methodologies and do not really teach how to make the best use of the available design techniques. (Well, maybe it is just that way and it will never become easier. That’s part of its charm.) There are no silver bullets (that is, no “one-size-fits-all” method) and “we often cannot articulate why we do what we do when we do it.” Plauger tries to address this problem not by proposing yet another silver bullet, however discussing useful design principles. Despite some dated examples, Plauger’s observations and advice are still relevant. You will find interesting essays on stepwise refinement, the use of grammars to parse input data, and structured design techniques. If you think these are not “hot topics” today, pick this book just to enjoy yourself reading about “software design heresies” (apparently counterintuitive ideas), the authors’ curious approach to teaching, or his peculiar comments
