40 years later, are Bentley's "Programming Pearls" still relevant?

Overview The post examines Jon Bentley's classic 1985 book Programming Pearls, a series of concise programming aphorisms that aim to reveal deep truths about software development. Four decades later, the author reflects on how the industry has changed and assesses which pearls remain timeless and which have been eclipsed by modern practices.

Key Takeaways

• Many core principles about problem solving, algorithmic thinking, and code clarity are still relevant.
• Some advice is dated due to advances in hardware, languages, and tooling.
• The value of short, focused insights lies in prompting critical thinking rather than prescribing specific technologies.

Who Would Benefit

• Technical leaders seeking to ground modern practices in foundational concepts.
• Engineering managers looking for timeless wisdom to share with teams.
• Senior developers interested in historical perspectives on software craftsmanship.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• None specific; the article references general programming principles and timeless engineering mindsets.