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In one of C++ books/tutorials I have read that there is a syndrome of so called beginner. The problem is that when a beginner starts to code a big project, then there comes a point when the project is as much spoiled up that it is better for experienced programmer to start that project from 0 then to refactor the code. This was called a syndrome of someone (whose name I don't remember.) Do you know where I could read about this? Do you remember the name of that person by whose honor was the syndrome's name?

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I would probably call this Narek's syndrome :-) – paxdiablo Feb 7 '12 at 3:09
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@paxdiablo I upvoted you once on SO, and once here. I always wanted to see if that would work... – muntoo Feb 7 '12 at 3:10
Oh, I just remember that it was about extendable code. I mean, beginner don't write code that is extendable. – Narek Feb 7 '12 at 3:26
Are you talking about the Second System Syndrom? – Jpsy Feb 7 '12 at 3:36
I do not agree with the premise. The beauty of the existing system is that it works, the requirements have been captured and implemented. Of course, it is not perfect - bugs were filed against it and it was written in a new language that the programmers were still learning as the company just switched from C++ to C# and the programmers did not have enough time. It take a bit of skill and love to safely replace parts of the imperfect system while everyone is using it, but you are patching up something that works. Start your own greenfield and build it fast, sell it AND make it smell good. – Job Feb 7 '12 at 4:23
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2 Answers

Beginner programmer shows his code to experienced programmer and asks, where is an error in my code? "In DNA" was the answer. Maybe this syndrome called something like "DNA fault syndrome"?

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No, it it was named by someone, for sure! – Narek Jun 12 at 17:48

It remains me of the tale of electrodragon by St. Lem.

Electrodragon was created by the mistake by the new electromachine. The only solution to the problem the electromachine could find was to create bigger electrodragon. Those could be than defended with even bigger electrodragon.

Any attempt to fix the code you've described would result in even bigger and even more unmanagable code, so it could be called electrodragon syndrome.

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Do you think that I may thought that electrodragon is a name of a man? :) – Narek Jun 13 at 6:32
+1 because Stanislaw Lem is great, even though it's not what Narek is looking for. Sorry Narek. – MarkJ Jun 13 at 8:27

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