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The Cost of Abstraction: What Physics Taught Me About Software Engineering
- Abstractions in software engineering, like in physics, hide part of the underlying reality, which can lead to leaks.
- Understanding the limitations of abstractions is crucial, as seen in the Law of Leaky Abstractions.
- In physics, models are constantly tested and refined when they fail, highlighting the importance of deep understanding.
- Abstractions in software accelerate development but grasping the fundamentals allows for deeper progress.
- Portability of abstractions across varying conditions is akin to the principles in physics models.
- Knowing what lies beneath abstractions is essential to predict failure and troubleshoot effectively.
- Software abstractions work well within specific contexts but can fail when the context changes.
- Fundamentals guide us when abstractions break down, necessitating a solid understanding of underlying concepts.
- Intentional use of abstractions coupled with deep knowledge of fundamentals leads to better system design and problem anticipation.
- Mastering software fundamentals fosters a questioning mindset and cultivates technical curiosity beyond surface-level abstractions.
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