Careful as they may be, developers of Eiffel libraries will always run into cases in which, after releasing a library class, they suddenly experience what in French is called esprit de l'escalier or wit of the staircase: a great thought which unfortunately is an afterthought, like a clever reply that would have stunned all the other dinner guests - if only you had thought of it before walking down the stairs after the party is over.
Interpretation
It's common to have brilliant ideas after the moment has passed, often reflecting on what could have been said or done.
This quote highlights the phenomenon of 'esprit de l'escalier', which refers to the clever thoughts or responses that come to mind only after a situation has ended. It's a reminder that in life, particularly in creative and intellectual fields like software development, the ideal solutions or witty retorts often occur too late, prompting reflection on how we can better prepare for future interactions or challenges.
In practice
During a team meeting, you might bring up this quote to emphasize the importance of capturing ideas in the moment.
Writing a class without its contract would be similar to producing an engineering component (electrical circuit, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) chip, bridge, engine...) without a spec. No professional engineer would even consider the idea.
Perfect reusable components are not obtained at the first shot.
There are only two things wrong with C++: The initial concept and the implementation.
Incorrect documentation is often worse than no documentation.
You can either have software quality or you can have pointer arithmetic, but you cannot have both at the same time.
Be more interested in character than reputation
Rules of living Don't worry, eat three square meals a day,say your prayers, be courteous to your creditors, keep your digestion good,steer clear of biliousness,exercise, go slow and go easy. May be there are other things that your special case requires to make you happy, but my friend, these, i reckon, will give you a good life.
It has become quite a common proverb that in wine there is truth (In Vino Veritas).
Do everything with a mind that lets go. Do not expect praise or reward.
I suspect the truth is that we are waiting, all of us, against insurmountable odds, for something extraordinary to happen to us.
You don't have to preach honesty to men with creative purpose. Let a human being throw the engines of his soul into the making of something, and the instinct of workmanship will take care of his honesty.
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