Is Writing Code Easier Than Designing Software? A Closer Look

To a large degree, yes. This statement, however, applies primarily to experienced software developers. For beginners, writing code can be incredibly challenging, and the design aspect of software development is often skipped entirely.

For Experienced Developers, Code is Generally Easy to Write

For someone who has undergone the significant initial work of learning a computer language, I can generally agree that the act of writing code itself is usually straightforward. It is a bit like asking if hitting a curveball is easy; the average person would find it challenging. However, for a seasoned player like Tony Gwynn, who is no longer with us, hitting a curveball might be a matter of skill rather than ease. Similarly, doing the necessary math and preliminary steps required to start coding are not necessarily easy and should not be discounted.

It takes years of practice to think in code and fully understand a programming language. This learning process involves more than just memorizing syntax; it involves developing a deep understanding of how code works and how it intertwines with the real world problems it aims to solve. Therefore, while the act of writing code can be simple for those who are well-practiced, the initial steps required to reach that level of proficiency are not trivial.

Designing Software is More Challenging

Designing software well is significantly more demanding than learning a programming language to the point where writing code becomes easy. Design requires a wealth of experience, ideally in diverse scenarios. Poor design decisions come with high costs, so the stakes are very high. Design necessitates a combination of intuition, organization, communication, and foresight, which are skills not necessarily required for writing code, though they are highly desirable for it.

When envisioning a large-scale, complex application, a designer must break down the application into many smaller subsystems that work harmoniously together. A designer not only needs to be a coder but also possesses an additional set of skills. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that designing software is inherently more challenging.

Experience and Management Play a Critical Role

In my experience, when a project requires design, management often looks for the most talented engineers for that job. Note that these individuals are often the best coders and therefore are temporarily taken away from writing code. However, the effort is worth it. A team can recover from a coder who messes up a small subsystem, as someone can help fix it or rewrite it from scratch. In contrast, a design error cannot be easily corrected because the impact is often broader and more significant.

Many people, especially those working on small projects, may attempt to combine design and coding. They start writing code and design parts of it on the fly, refactoring as they go and making realizations along the way. This approach is understandable for small projects, but it cannot be sustained for large-scale projects. It would be like taking three steps back for every one step forward, which is both inefficient and ineffective.

In conclusion, while writing code may be easier for experienced developers, designing software is undoubtedly more challenging. The combination of intuition, organization, communication, and foresight required in design makes it a more demanding task. Experience and management play crucial roles in ensuring that the best talent is utilized for design to minimize potential issues and maximize the success of the project.