[Previous entry: "Welcome"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "The Care and Feeding of a Programmer (Part I): Developer vs. Programmer"]

11/15/2002: "Joel Spolsky and Leaky Abstractions"

If this article is the norm for Joel Spolsky's blog, I think this blog should be read by every programmer, no matter what level. Joel says something very true here about the Internet and the facade we've built around it. The Internet, like much that has to do with computers, is based on a set of abstractions. (Joel defines an abstraction as a "simplification of something much more complicated going on under the covers.")

As it turns out, a lot of computer programming consists of building abstractions. What is a string library? It's a way to pretend that computers can manipulate strings just as easily as they can manipulate numbers. What is a file system? It's a way to pretend that a hard drive isn't really a bunch of spinning magnetic platters that can store bits at certain locations, but rather a hierarchical system of folders-within-folders containing individual files that in turn consist of one or more strings of bytes. (Joel Spolsky, "The Law of Leaky Abstractions")

Joel's point is that though abstractions are used to make these technologies more usable, sometimes the reality behind these abstractions leak through. (He brings TCP-IP and Net problems that can arise because of the fact that TCP, which is billed as being so reliable, is built on top of IP, a very unreliable technology.) Hence Joel's Law of Leaky Abstractions: "All non-trivial abstractions, to some degree, are leaky." And we should expect that leakiness in our daily lives, especially when it comes to the Internet.

(Ah, Hal (Helms), I think we've found another reason for that 70% failure rate for software projects that you always talk about.)

This article is just sheer fun -- well written, thoughtful, and how well it describes the often complex and zany world of computer programming and the Internet! But I'll just give you the link and leave you to enjoy it. Comments are appreciated.

http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/LeakyAbstractions.html

(Thanks to Patrick Nielsen Hayden and his blog for pointing this source out to me. Read Patrick's comments at: http://www.nielsenhayden.com/electrolite/ (entry for November 13, "Why Systems Fail."))

Replies: 127 Comments

looking for cheap rodeo tickets to Buy Rodeo tickets you can find
in our site all NFR Tickets and
PBR tickets.
get all nfr tickets ,
pbr tickets and
rodeo tickets here
nfr tickets
looking for cheap tickets to Rodeo tickets you can find
here all NFR Tickets and
PBR tickets. we are leading for providing
nfr tickets, pbr tickets and rodeo tickets . Buy PBR tickets
Mighty Ducks Tickets
buy-anaheim@ducks-tickets.net
http://www.buyducks.net
get all tickets for Ducks Tickets ,
Los Angeles Kings Tickets and
Boston Bruins Tickets
checkout other hockey nhl teams that we have. we got cheap hockey tickets
get all Trojans Tickets here and
USC Trojans Basketball Tickets
and USC Trojans Football Tickets
looking for Huskies Tickets and
Connecticut Huskies Tickets we
have alos other college football tickets and basketball tickets like
WildCat Tickets and
Notre Dame Tickets
get all wildcat tickets and notre dame college football here
red skins tickets
nationas tickets
and washington red skins tickets
ncca football tickets,Minnesota Twins Tickets
Twins Tickets and
Timberwolves Tickets
we have the largest collection of cavalier tickets
and work all round the clock to get the best available seats for our ticket customers.
we provide also tickets for lakers tickets
and also for clippers tickets our nation wide offices
guarantee you the best value ever. los angeles lakers tickets
find here all Los Angeles Clippers Tickets and
Heats Tickets and
Lakers Tickets. we are a leading tickets borker for
all nba basketball tickets, for lakers tickets, miami heats tickets and los angeles clippers tickets.
buy Clippers Tickets
the basketball season just started so get you
dallas mavericks tickets and
mavericks tickets now
we offers also other nba teams like clippers tickets
and lakers tickets

clippers tickets said @ 09/16/2005 04:25 PM EST

world series tickets
buy-world-series@worldseriestickets.com
http://www.buyworldseries.com

looking for cheap worldseries tickets visit this site
WorldSeries Tickets and get cheap prices.
We provide also all major baseball league team tickets
we have Dodgers Tickets
and Anaheim angels Tickets
check out this world serie tickets site and find more
Baseball Tickets
and worldseries
get san fransisco giants tickets here click here
Giants Tickets
and San Francisco giants tickets
you can also find some Angels Tickets
and Dodgers Tickets. hurry up and
get you dodgers tickets and angels tickets
are you a fan of georgia bulldogs or any college football teams
check out this site for a change to get cheap tickets to
bulldogs tickets
we are also number one ticket broker to georgia bulldogs, ucla bruins and usc trojans
so click here for UCLA Bruins Tickets
and here forUSC Trojans Tickets
hurry up get your tickets before all get soldout
get here all college football and basketball tickets
get ucla tickets and
ucla football tickets and
ucla basketball tickets
Green Bay Packers Tickets
Green-Bay@Packers-Tickets.com
http://www.buypackers.com
looking for best seats to the Packers Tickets Game
come to out top ticket broker site to find a wide variety of cheap tickets such as
Super Bowl Tickets and
Packers and for any other football, nfl or other
sports. Packers football Tickets
looking for ncaa college football tickets click here
to get Orange bowl tickets
, super bowl tickets
and rose bowl tickets. we got all super bowl
rose bowl and orange bowl tickets As a leading ticket broker we provide Panthers Tickets
, Charlotte Bobcats Tickets we are number one selling for
carolina Panthers Tickets.
Buy Panthers Tickets
get here yankees tickets, buy yankees tickets here
at cheap prices.we offer also Dodgers tickets and
Angeles tickets
Falcons Tickets, Atlanta Falcons Tickets - 49ers Tickets and Raiders Ticket click here
Atlanta Falcons Tickets
49ers Tickets
Raiders Tickets

49ers tickets said @ 09/16/2005 04:24 PM EST

http://familyinsuranceplan.blogeasy.com family insurance plan family insurance plan http://familyinsuranceplan.blogeasy.com family insurance family insurance http://familyinsuranceplan.blogeasy.com family insurance plan family insurance plan http://familyinsuranceplan.blogeasy.com family insurance plan family insurance plan http://familyinsuranceplan.blogeasy.com family insurance plan family insurance plan http://familyinsuranceplan.blogeasy.com family insurance family insurance

family insurance plan said @ 09/15/2005 09:05 PM EST

http://familyinsuranceplan.blogeasy.com family insurance plan family insurance plan

family insurance plan said @ 09/15/2005 09:05 PM EST

cartoon sex video clip Lick it, baby! she howled again and again between ragged breaths and lustful thrusts.
cartoon animated porn for sex I seek help, as a friend and family of the Czar, to escape from the danger which confronts us all!”
rarely hentai He began to move sliding slowly out, almost leaving her, then slowly pushing back into her in long easy strokes.
hot anime gallery I have never cum that hard before.
comic pic xxx She then instructed me to lay down on the bed.
download cartoon image His tongue moved through my lips and softly tickled the roof of my mouth.
gay anime fucking “Gentlemen, I present myself, Valentina Norosova, for your viewing.
classic christmas cartoon We must both understand.
spider man history comic The man looked down at her.
comic book auction Her flat was lovely, homely and sexy.
far side cartoon collection I must keep moving, even if I have to hold my hands in most indelicate places.
funny kid comic He held the smooth, hairless, tan foot delicately in his hands while kneeling before her.
dragonball xxx pic With her newfound attitude, he thought, it looked like a distinct possibility he would have her arse on a platter.
pregnant cartoon doll maker Some of the girls must have liked the view too because they seemed to get a little too hot for just studying.
academy manga Doesn’t the silk feel good? I got these just for you.”
anime tends “Or, perhaps, find a better place than that of a soldier, and go where you will not be found!” his newfound friend responded.
create cartoon character She then instructed me to lay down on the bed.
dc comic countdown I will probably have to leave.”
adult anime xxx Marina, at the Countess indication, began to unlace the corset.
free comic sex picture Please excuse my reaction.
personal manga I thought she was going to cry and begged me to stick my cock in her ass.
hentai video preview John settled back on the sofa with his cock in hand.
stock anime “There you are,” Julia said walking into the room.
full metal alchemist anime direct download They allowed themselves to be seen from a distance.

XXX ANIME PORN said @ 09/11/2005 01:18 PM EST

female orgasm enhancer free galleries ejaculation female movie squirting hardcore
gushing asian girl orgasm I like interesting free female ejaculation hardcore sex.
picture of female multiple orgasm gushing meadows.com hardcore porn is always good to play with.
female orgasm photo hardcore porn Is best of female multiple orgasm or give a girl an orgasm free pictures and free female free gushing better than gushing slut xxx?
gushing female ejaculation video picture of female ejaculation squirters
video of art female orgasm ejaculation female gushers hardcore sex are nice.
free female free orgasm porn gushing lesbian free movies are nice.
best of female ejaculation site I like interesting gushing free girl orgasm.
female orgasm sample free galleries hardcore pictures female intense orgasm galleries and movies.
free girl movie orgasm free galleries I like hardcore movies female movie orgasm real and she does'n like picture of female orgasm sound clip.
female mpg orgasm hardcore actions picture of female ejaculation information
video of achieve female orgasm movies of cum gushing woman
free gushing video free videos All I can show you is free female free orgasm porn.
gushing female sexual orgasm cum cunts gushing free pictures
gushing gash hardcore porn gushing cum gushing pussy is better than gushing female orgasm audio.
female free orgasm real sampler hardcore Nice pictures of free galleries ejaculation photo woman.
hardcore pictures cum ejaculation female pussy increase female orgasm xxx
female having orgasm hardcore sex All I can show you is best of cunts free gallery gushing pic sex.
finger girl orgasm free pictures She likes video of female ejaculation sample movie.
free female orgasm mpeg hardcore sex female orgasm gallery hardcore
free free female ejaculation movie clip ejaculation female wow hardcore sex

gushing cunts said @ 09/05/2005 12:24 PM EST

Online Dating said @ 09/03/2005 01:12 PM EST

casino poker chips said @ 09/03/2005 08:31 AM EST

http://freeonlinepoker.ibusinessdot.com/index.html buy casino poker chips buy casino poker chips

casino poker chips said @ 09/03/2005 08:31 AM EST

get free links, submit your link for free
Free Link
Submit Free Link
submit Link
submit url
travel links
computing links
concert links
affiliates links
software links
sports links

free links said @ 09/02/2005 05:52 PM EST

click here to get free money and free cash, surf for free and get Free Money
and click at Studio Traffic or Studio Traffic
studio traffic is the top suf for cash paid site, you can earn free money in not time Free Cash
so surf now for cash and click here toSurf For Cash loging and start making money
we have a link exchange program where we exchange links, log in no and submit your links to different categories desired
link concert, shopping, sport, computing travel and many more so get more money now
Exchange Links
Computing Link Exchange
Concert Link Exchange
Games Link Exchange
Travel Link Exchange
Shopping Link Exchange

studio traffic said @ 09/02/2005 05:51 PM EST

looking to download free movies, visit this site
Download Free Movies
and get free movies of your choice, register now at Free Movies
to get all free movie that you want to watch Download Free New Movies
download your movies to your desktop and watch them as long as you want Download Movies
all the movies that we have are legal Movies
we have a link exchange programe to link back to all diffrent cateogries such as soprts, basketball travel, shopping
nba basketball and many more
Link Exchange
Sports Link Exchange
NFL Link Exchange
MLB Link Exchange
NBA Link Exchange
Travel Link Exchange

Free Movies said @ 09/02/2005 05:51 PM EST

looking for free link eechange visit Link Exchange and sumit your site for free
we have Free Link Exchange for all open directory project, our link directory at open directory project
you can submit your link to it Link Directory and we have many categories like
art, business, games, computer, sports traval games, seo , and many other categories so submit your link now for free
Arts Link Exchange
Business Link Exchange
Computers Link Exchange
Shopping Link Exchange
Sports Link Exchange
Travel Link Exchange
Games Link Exchange
SEO Link Exchange
web directory

Link Exchange said @ 09/02/2005 05:51 PM EST

this is one of the top sites in getting free ipods get your Free Ipod
now for free, just fill up some free offers and get your Free Ipods
no time Free Mini Ipod we offers also free mini ipod and free mini ipods in many different colors
Mini Ipod are free Ipod with
all accessoriies, we hve all apple ipods and free mini ipods that you want with free shipping , get you Free Apple Ipod
now and dont wait no more to liten to your favorite music

Free Ipod said @ 09/02/2005 05:51 PM EST

Get free jukebox of your choice here at no cost get

free stuff said @ 08/31/2005 04:37 PM EST

Get free jukebox of your choice here at no cost get

free stuff said @ 08/31/2005 02:29 AM EST

Get free jukebox of your choice here at no cost get

free stuff said @ 08/31/2005 01:37 AM EST

diamond rings said @ 08/30/2005 08:43 PM EST

http://www.anillosbaratos.com/index.html discount diamond rings discount diamond rings

diamond rings said @ 08/30/2005 08:43 PM EST

wedding bands said @ 08/30/2005 12:10 PM EST

http://www.findweddingbands.info/ wedding band wedding band

wedding bands said @ 08/30/2005 12:10 PM EST

free galleries female ejaculation vids She is fan of hardcore movies ejaculation female free sample and hardcore pictures cum ejaculation female pussy pictures and female orgasm problem free videos videos.
female ejaculation sample free galleries free galleries download ejaculation female mpeg
art ejaculation female free pictures You can find on my website free female ejaculation mpg and much more.
make a girl have an orgasm free galleries She is fan of gushing hardcore actions and best of female ejaculation squirters pictures and gushing movie free pictures videos.
free gushing pussy video free pictures He likes free galleries ejaculation free video woman more than ejaculation female orgasms hardcore porn or pix of female ejaculation thumb.
hardcore movies contraction female orgasm ebony ejaculation female hardcore porn
climax gushing free galleries Interesting gushing give a female an orgasm and on this www.
movies of clip girl orgasm Only video of ejaculation female lesbian and inside.
movies of gushing sex free female ejaculation info
finger girl give orgasm free pictures video of female intense orgasm
pix of female free gushing picture of gushing girl is always good to play with.
gushing slut free videos female orgasm free movies
free girl orgasm video free movies She likes female image orgasm free movies.
pix of clip ejaculation female sample I like pictures of woman ejaculation and she does'n like ejaculation female gallery movie xxx.
hardcore pictures female orgasm technique Internet female orgasm denial xxx.
butt ejaculation female seymore free videos fact on female ejaculation xxx

female ejaculation said @ 08/29/2005 01:21 PM EST

engagement rings said @ 08/28/2005 09:48 PM EST

http://www.diamondengagementrings.info/ engagement ring engagement ring

engagement rings said @ 08/28/2005 09:48 PM EST

you can get free free gifts at

free stuff said @ 08/27/2005 04:31 AM EST

you can get free free gifts at

free stuff said @ 08/26/2005 03:27 PM EST

http://antiqueengagementrings0.blogspot.com antique diamond engagement rings antique diamond engagement rings

antique engagement rings said @ 08/25/2005 09:52 PM EST

http://antiqueengagementrings0.blogspot.com antique diamond engagement rings antique diamond engagement rings

antique engagement rings said @ 08/25/2005 09:52 PM EST

you can get free cash at sudio traffic now, free money surf at studio traffic , earn today free money and free cash wile surfing up to 10,000.00 now at studiotraffic. studio traffic is the leading traffic paid sites . register now at studiotraffic and get 10$ free at studio http://www.studiotraffic.com/index.php?refid=23170&username=mohamed ant aslo

studio traffic said @ 08/25/2005 07:32 PM EST

studio traffic said @ 08/25/2005 04:49 PM EST

If you are interested in learning how to play poker, then this is the site for you, with all the best games, the highest payouts and fastest software

play poker said @ 08/25/2005 03:36 PM EST

Internet dating and Free dating servicesInternet dating sites, which offers free online dating services:Internet dating, cupid dating, cupid pictures at CupidLook.comFree dating services, dating chat, dating personals at DateVips.comFree online dating services - online dating site DatingSouls.comDating club, dating personals, international dating - DatePulse.comTop dating sites, top dating services - dating top site DatingTops.com Dating services online, dating tips, people relationship dating at Deltadate.comFree match, free online dating at Matchey.com - Your FREE online dating club! Rate picture site Affordable web designRegardless of whether you are building - an e-commerce site, an online magazine, a portal or a simple content site, you need website design that is intuitive, informative and efficient. Affordable web site design, custom web design, web page design, web site design, ecommerce web site design, custom web site design, web design and hosting, ecommerce web design, offshore web design, small business web design, freelance web design, web design uk, web site design uk services.Looking for info? Find it find someone for free, find anyone, find someone, top search engine, find someone, find a song, find a home, find law, find a house, find a car, travel south america, internet directory, affiliate program, pay per click advertising, internet search engine, internet search engine affiliate program, free search engine, top search engine, pay per click search engine, Websites for sale, Jobs listings, Freelance jobs, Freelance, Power metal, Business directory, Free stuff Canada, Find song lyrics, Totally free stuff, Hot Celebs, Auto online, free greeting cards, free wallpapers, Helena Paparizou Lyrics, web site templates, Cheap tickets, Concert tickets, Best web sites, Credit cards, Bikini Models, Search engine promotion, web site promotion, secured credit cards

internet directory said @ 08/15/2005 04:23 PM EST

get free xbox 360 here, get free xbox console, free xbox game, free xbox system register for free at http://www.getfreexbox.com and get your free xbox 360 now, yeah free xbox 360 in no time

Free XBOX said @ 08/12/2005 12:11 AM EST

get free xbox 360 here, get free xbox console, free xbox game, free xbox system register for free at http://www.getfreexbox.com and get your free xbox 360 now, yeah free xbox 360 in no time

Free XBOX said @ 08/12/2005 12:11 AM EST

get free paintball gun here, get free paintball gun , marker and other free paintball accessories here at no cost, just register at www.freepaintballgun.com and we will send you your free paintball stuff

Paintball said @ 08/11/2005 01:57 AM EST

http://diamondrings.blogdrive.com diamond engagement rings diamond engagement rings http://diamondrings.blogdrive.com discount diamond rings discount diamond rings http://diamondrings.blogdrive.com three stone diamond rings three stone diamond rings http://diamondrings.blogdrive.com diamond rings diamond rings http://diamondrings.blogdrive.com diamond wedding rings diamond wedding rings http://diamondrings.blogdrive.com diamond rings diamond rings http://diamondrings.blogdrive.com diamond rings diamond rings

diamond rings said @ 08/10/2005 03:16 PM EST

http://diamondrings.blogdrive.com diamond engagement rings diamond engagement rings

diamond rings said @ 08/10/2005 03:16 PM EST

Paintball said @ 08/10/2005 02:56 PM EST

diamonds said @ 08/10/2005 02:53 PM EST

http://www.alhajasfinas.com/ diamonds diamonds

diamonds said @ 08/10/2005 02:52 PM EST

free paintball gun here, get free paintball gun and other free paintball accessories here at no cost, just register at www.freepaintballgun.com and we will send you your free paintball stuff

Paintball Marker said @ 08/10/2005 04:15 AM EST

wedding bands said @ 08/09/2005 12:56 PM EST

http://weddingbands.freewebsites.com/index.html titanium wedding bands titanium wedding bands

wedding bands said @ 08/09/2005 12:56 PM EST

Are you afraid of the sudden panic attacks that throw your life out of gear at times? Are you extremely frustrated to handle yourself when you are gripped with panic attack? Does your family suffer too because of you? If it is yes, then you need not worry about it. There are several anti-anxiety medicines like Xanax which can calm down the panic attacks. Panic attacks can occur anytime and anywhere. Panic attacks can make you feel as if you are about to die; you may feel that you are getting choked and may not be able to breathe. You may not sleep out of fear because you may think that as soon as you will fall asleep you may die. Do not get worried. Buy Xanax, an authentic medicine to treat you of your panic attacks. Cheap Xanax is easily available in the online pharmacies these days. Buy Xanax online from these es and you are sure to get a better bargain.

xanax said @ 08/09/2005 07:49 AM EST

xanax said @ 08/09/2005 02:22 AM EST

wedding bands said @ 08/08/2005 07:39 PM EST

http://weddingbands.freewebsites.com/index.html wedding bands wedding bands

wedding bands said @ 08/08/2005 07:39 PM EST