Software is described as having lost its way, with modern development producing bloated, hard-to-understand results. Compactness and comprehensibility are framed as guiding principles, echoing a manifesto for small software. The message is reinforced by references to industry “BS,” including claims that technologies like blockchain or AI can improve anything without appropriate trust. Lean software is linked to digital sovereignty concerns and to a plea for lean software honoring Niklaus Wirth. Wirth’s Law is cited as a lasting effect, and a working example is offered to demonstrate the lean approach in practice.
"Fits on a Floppy describes itself as “a Manifesto for Small Software,” and as we read it, we found ourselves nodding in agreement, right from the opening line: Software has lost its way."
"That is certainly the impression of this author, and it is not just us. We are irresistibly reminded of the Red Hat developer's six waves of industry BS that we recounted in February. Like any eternal verity of the computing industry, there's even an XKCD comic about it, if you needed any more persuading."
"Randall Monroe spells it out: That sounds about right. And parenthetically, anyone who says that they can improve anything with either blockchain or AI is no more to be trusted than a schoolteacher who gives no homework."
"In 2024, he wrote A 2024 Plea for Lean Software in tribute to the great Niklaus Wirth, who passed away earlier that month. In our own obituary for Professor Wirth, we mentioned the 1995 paper that inspired Hubert: A Plea for Lean Software. One of the lasting effects of that paper is what is now called Wirth's Law:"
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