Some compilers allow a check during execution that subscripts do not exceed array dimensions. This is a help, but not sufficient. First, many programmers do not use such compilers because They're not efficient. (Presumably, this means that it is vital to get the wrong answers quickly.)

Controlling complexity is the essence of computer programming.

Trivia rarely affect efficiency. Are all the machinations worth it, when their primary effect is to make the code less readable?

90% of the functionality delivered now is better than 100% delivered never.

Get the weirdnesses into the data where you can manipulate them easily, and the regularity into the code because regular code is a lot easier to work with

Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it.

The most effective debugging tool is still careful thought, coupled with judiciously placed print statements.