Sometimes we choose the generalization. Sometimes we don't.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Sometimes we deliberately create broad solutions; other times we keep things specific.
- In plain terms
- We sometimes generalize and sometimes we don’t.
- What can you take from it?
- Choose the level of abstraction that fits the problem.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is a specific solution better than a general one?
- How do you know when to generalize?
Another view
Over‑generalizing can make solutions vague or inefficient.
More from Larry Wall
Part of language design is perturbing the proposed feature in various directions to see how it might generalize in the future.
Permalink to quote #104 I wouldn't ever write the full sentence myself, but then, I never use goto either.
Permalink to quote #106 I'm serious about thinking through all the possibilities before we settle on anything. All things have the advantages of their disadvantages, and vice versa.
Permalink to quote #103
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