The default movement on a software project should be in the direction of taking elements of the software away to make it simpler rather than adding elements to make it more complex.

It's OK to figure out murder mysteries, but you shouldn't need to figure out code. You should be able to read it.

Good code is its own best documentation.

Motivation is undoubtedly the single greatest influence on how well people perform. Most productivity studies have found that motivation has a stronger influence on productivity than any other factor.

... programming requires more concentration than other activities. It's the reason programmers get upset about 'quick interruptions' - such interruptions are tantamount to asking a juggler to keep three balls in the air and hold your groceries at the same time.

The default movement on a software project should be in the direction of taking elements of the software away to make it simpler rather than adding elements to make it more complex.

It's hard enough to find an error in your code when you're looking for it; it's even harder when you've assumed your code is error-free.