The Principles of the Wheel Reinventor
2025-03-21
This article explores the philosophy of the 'Wheel Reinventor' – a programmer who chooses to build things from scratch, not for efficiency, but for learning, customization, innovation, and the sheer joy of creation. Four key reasons are given for reinventing the wheel: learning, specificity, innovation, and enjoyment. However, the author stresses the importance of careful planning and avoiding unnecessary rabbit holes, weighing the costs and benefits before starting. Practical advice is also shared, including minimizing third-party dependencies, mastering built-in tools, avoiding excessive abstraction, and open-sourcing code.
Development
programming philosophy