This behavior is by design
The article emphasizes that software design is driven by intentional human decisions, highlighting the impact of design choices, unintended glitches, and the ongoing human influence in AI development.
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The article discusses the intentionality behind software design, reflecting on the phrase "This behavior is by design," which originated from early Microsoft support pages. The author, Matt Sephton, emphasizes that every aspect of software, from features to user interfaces, results from deliberate decisions made by developers and designers. This perspective highlights the human element in technology, challenging the notion that it is impersonal. While many design choices are carefully considered, some may be rushed or based on flawed assumptions, leading to unintended consequences. The article also mentions "happy accidents," where glitches or errors can result in beloved features, such as the creeper in Minecraft. Furthermore, it argues that users implicitly agree with design choices by accepting default settings, which shapes their experience. As technology evolves, particularly with AI and machine learning, the human influence on design remains crucial, as humans still guide the algorithms and data that drive these systems. Ultimately, the article underscores that behind every line of code and design choice, there are human decisions that shape user experiences.
- Software design is a result of deliberate human decisions.
- Unintended glitches can lead to innovative features in software.
- Users agree with design choices by accepting default settings.
- The rise of AI does not eliminate the human element in software design.
- Every aspect of software is influenced by human motivations and choices.
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5 commentsWe could use some of that humility with regard to interfering with complex systems. Most of the effects of perturbations of a complex or chaotic system are unpredictable, and great care should be exercised before making a change, and even with great care, most of the effects will be surprising and unpredictable.
So yes, on a superficial level, all decisions in software are deliberate, but the way those decisions interact, and the outcomes of those decisions are unpredictable and largely unknown when the decisions are made. Also, and you mentioned this in the article, many of the decisions are not made deliberately, after much reflection, but rather, on the fly and in the moment.
To hand-wave that all away by saying "but a human made it" seems pretty disingenuous, or at least extremely naive.
Building quality software is hard because it’s the mistakes and oversights that get noticed.
It’s much easier for someone to claim it’s “by design” than to try and fix it.
The reminder to consider the intent behind design choices is valuable. It helps us appreciate the complexities and nuances that go into creating software
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