The "Wheel Reinventor's Principles" advocate for strategically reinventing existing solutions, not out of ignorance, but as a path to deeper understanding and potential innovation. It emphasizes learning by doing, prioritizing personal growth over efficiency, and embracing the educational journey of rebuilding. While acknowledging the importance of leveraging existing tools, the principles encourage exploration and experimentation, viewing the process of reinvention as a method for internalizing knowledge, discovering novel approaches, and ultimately building a stronger foundation for future development. This approach values the intrinsic rewards of learning and the potential for uncovering unforeseen improvements, even if the initial outcome isn't as polished as established alternatives.
Tobias Löf's 2024 blog post, "Wheel Reinventor's Principles," articulates a philosophy for deliberately recreating existing software tools and libraries, not out of ignorance of their existence, but as a purposeful act of learning and personal growth. Löf argues against the pervasive dictum to avoid "reinventing the wheel," suggesting that the process of rebuilding can offer invaluable insights into the underlying mechanics and design decisions of established technologies. He meticulously outlines a set of guiding principles for undertaking such endeavors effectively and productively.
Firstly, he emphasizes the importance of Choosing Boredom Over Frustration: One should select projects that pique genuine curiosity and offer a manageable level of complexity, avoiding tasks that become tedious or overly challenging, thereby ensuring sustained engagement and preventing premature abandonment. The objective is to foster a state of "productive boredom" that allows for deep focus and encourages exploration.
Secondly, Honesty to oneself and others is paramount. The reinventor should transparently acknowledge that they are rebuilding an existing solution, recognizing the pedagogical purpose of the exercise rather than claiming novelty or attempting to surpass existing implementations in terms of performance or features. This honesty fosters a mindset of learning and avoids misrepresenting the endeavor.
Thirdly, Löf underscores the significance of Starting from Scratch: Resisting the temptation to copy-paste or directly utilize existing codebases is crucial. The process of building from the ground up, even using readily available documentation and specifications, forces a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles at play. This principle encourages active engagement with the core concepts rather than passive assimilation.
Fourthly, he advocates for Focusing on Understanding: The primary goal should not be to create a production-ready or optimized solution, but rather to grasp the underlying architecture, algorithms, and design choices of the original. This focus on comprehension encourages a more analytical approach and prioritizes learning over producing a polished end product.
Finally, Löf emphasizes the importance of Knowing When to Stop: Reinventing the wheel is not an endless pursuit. Once a sufficient level of understanding has been achieved, further development becomes redundant. Recognizing this point of diminishing returns is essential for effective time management and prevents the exercise from becoming an open-ended commitment.
In essence, Löf presents a nuanced perspective on the concept of reinventing the wheel, transforming it from an act of naivete into a powerful tool for learning and deepening one's understanding of software development principles. His carefully articulated principles provide a practical framework for engaging in this form of deliberate practice, encouraging developers to embrace the process of rebuilding as a pathway to mastery.
Summary of Comments ( 37 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43434730
Hacker News users generally agreed with the author's premise that reinventing the wheel can be beneficial for learning, but cautioned against blindly doing so in professional settings. Several commenters emphasized the importance of understanding why something is the standard, rather than simply dismissing it. One compelling point raised was the idea of "informed reinvention," where one researches existing solutions thoroughly before embarking on their own implementation. This approach allows for innovation while avoiding common pitfalls. Others highlighted the value of open-source alternatives, suggesting that contributing to or forking existing projects is often preferable to starting from scratch. The distinction between reinventing for learning versus for production was a recurring theme, with a general consensus that personal projects are an ideal space for experimentation, while production environments require more pragmatism. A few commenters also noted the potential for "NIH syndrome" (Not Invented Here) to drive unnecessary reinvention in corporate settings.
The Hacker News post titled "Wheel Reinventor’s Principles (2024)" linking to tobloef.com/blog/wheel-reinventors-principles/ has generated a moderate number of comments, sparking a discussion around the merits and pitfalls of reinventing the wheel.
Several commenters agree with the author's premise, emphasizing the educational value of rebuilding existing tools and libraries. One commenter argues that reinventing the wheel is crucial for truly understanding how things work, leading to a deeper appreciation and ability to customize tools later on. They highlight the satisfaction and control gained from building something oneself. Another commenter concurs, suggesting that the process of reinvention, even if it doesn't result in a production-ready tool, fosters a valuable understanding of the underlying principles. This commenter even suggests that sometimes the act of reinvention can uncover hidden flaws or inefficiencies in the original design.
However, some comments caution against unnecessary or excessive wheel reinvention, particularly in professional settings. One commenter points out the potential cost implications and time wasted when readily available, well-maintained solutions exist. They advocate for prioritizing pragmatism and focusing on solving the actual problem at hand rather than getting sidetracked by reinventing tools. Another echoes this sentiment, asserting that while reinventing can be beneficial for learning, it's often more efficient to leverage existing resources, especially in a business context. They suggest that reinventing the wheel should be a deliberate choice made with awareness of the trade-offs.
A few commenters delve into specific examples of when wheel reinvention might be justified. One commenter mentions situations where existing solutions are overly complex or lack crucial features, making it more practical to build a simpler, tailored solution. Another commenter brings up the issue of licensing, arguing that sometimes reinventing is necessary to avoid using proprietary software or complying with restrictive licenses.
Finally, there's some discussion about the importance of knowing when to reinvent. One commenter proposes that reinventing the wheel is valuable early in one's career, but becomes less so as experience grows and the focus shifts to delivering value efficiently. Another commenter emphasizes the importance of thoroughly researching existing solutions before embarking on a reinvention project, ensuring that the effort is truly justified.