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What does this software quote mean?

I was reading Code Complete (2nd Edition), and came across a quote in the margin on page 87 by Bertrand Meyer.

Ask not first what the system does; ask WHAT it does it to!

What exactly is the point Mr. Meyer is trying to get across here. I have some rough ideas, but I would like to make sure I really understand.

Solution

  • I believe the point here is not on what the system does, but on the data it operates on and what those operations are.

    This provides two major thinking shifts:

    • You think of the data and concepts first
    • You think of operations on that data

    With those two "baselines" you will better prepared to organize a system to achieve your goals so that operations on data are well understood and make sense.

    In effect, he is laying the ground work to be able to write the "contracts" on the code you write.