Why Softwares Are Getting Worse, Not Better

The early days of software development were an era of precision, discipline, and unforgiving constraints. Unlike today's world of over-the-air updates, continuous integration pipelines, and automated testing frameworks, software of the past had to be right the first time. Developers had no safety net. There were no quick patches or "hotfixes." Once software was packaged and shipped on physical mediums like floppy disks or CDs, it was out of their hands.

These limitations forced developers to approach their craft with an almost artisan-like dedication, treating software as art. And like any great artist, these pioneers knew that their work had to withstand the test of time.

The Rise of Convenience and the Fall of Quality

As the world transitioned into the Information Age, humanity's proudest technological milestone, the grueling nature of software development began to fade into history. The unforgiving discipline that defined early software gave way to convenience and speed.

Today's developers are living in a golden age of tools, frameworks, and conveniences. Modern software can be shipped instantly, bugs patched remotely, and feedback gathered in real-time. However, this ease of development and deployment has led to an unexpected consequence: a gradual erosion of software quality.

Imagine explaining to a teenager today that there was once a time when installing software required inserting multiple floppy disks, one after another. It would seem archaic, almost mythical. Yet those were the times when software needed to be meticulously tested and optimized before it ever reached the user.

An Explosion of Developers, But Not of Standards

There are now more developers worldwide than the population of some countries. This vast growth should, in theory, lead to an unprecedented era of software excellence. But instead, software quality often feels worse than ever.

In the early days, software development was an exclusive domain of a few highly trained individuals, many of whom held advanced degrees. The greatest achievements, like the creation of the C programming language at Bell Labs, came from a combination of deep expertise and rigorous discipline.

Today, however, the sheer scale of the industry has introduced new challenges:

• Diminished Barriers to Entry – While democratizing programming is a wonderful achievement, it has also led to an industry where experience and expertise are often undervalued in favor of speed and cost-efficiency.
• Economic Pressures – Businesses now prioritize faster time-to-market over robust quality assurance, leading to buggy and incomplete software being shipped to users.
• Over-Reliance on Tools – Developers rely heavily on frameworks, libraries, and no-code tools, sometimes at the expense of understanding the underlying principles of software engineering.

From the Information Age to the AI Revolution

As we transition from the Information Age to the Artificial Intelligence Age, software is no longer just a tool, it is the backbone of modern society. Yet, paradoxically, the quality of that software often feels lower than ever.

The rise of generative AI has created a reality where software can be written with a few lines of prompts. While this democratization of programming is powerful, it has also normalized software bugs and quirks as unavoidable. Users have become conditioned to expect updates and workarounds rather than polished, bug-free experiences.

The Case for High-Quality Software

High-quality software is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Bugs cost money, time, and, most importantly, trust. For businesses, poor software quality can lead to customer dissatisfaction, revenue loss, and reputational damage.

Despite economic challenges and industry pressures, we must resist the urge to cut corners. Quality is what sets great companies apart.

Striving for Excellence in the Face of Challenges

As the Chief Technology Officer myself, I've made it my mission to uphold the highest standards in software development. It's not always easy. Deadlines are tight, resources are limited, and the temptation to sacrifice quality for speed is always present. But I firmly believe that excellence is non-negotiable.

Here's how we approach this in my current organisation:

• Invest in Expertise – we prioritize hiring and training developers who understand the fundamentals of software engineering, not just the latest trends.
• Embrace Robust Testing – automated tests, code reviews, and rigorous QA processes are essential to catching issues before they reach production.
• Focus on Long-Term Impact – instead of rushing to deliver features, we consider how each decision affects the system's maintainability and scalability.
• Continuous Improvement – we use retrospectives to learn from mistakes, ensuring that every setback is a stepping stone to better practices. In our everyday conversations, there is no blame, only a shared commitment to growth.

Lessons from the Past, Hope for the Future

The early days of software development, with their unforgiving constraints, taught us the value of precision and craftsmanship. As we navigate the modern complexities of the AI Age, we must not lose sight of these lessons.

Convenience is not an excuse for mediocrity. With the vast number of developers and tools at our disposal, we have an unparalleled opportunity to create software that is both innovative and reliable. But this requires a conscious effort to prioritize quality over speed.

By striving for excellence in our work, we can ensure that the software we create today will stand as a testament to human ingenuity, much like the achievements of the early pioneers. It's a challenge worth taking, not just for our users but for the integrity of our craft.

Let's make a commitment to raise the bar, not just for ourselves but for the future of software development.