hackery (n)

Definition:
The method of software or hardware development denoted by a complete, or nearly complete, lack of development process, testing process, release process, and documentation process; usually associated with single individuals that develop dozens of "scripts" potentially in multiple development languages.

This method of development can be seen, in varying degrees, in many open source projects where the developers are mostly using the software for their own use and let the rest of the community join along for the ride. This type of project will normally take the attitude that if the user doesn't like the problem he should fix it himself completely alienating anyone who simply would like to be a user (possibly a tester?) but not a developer.

As a development project matures, it normally attracts more disciplined individuals who instill the type of processes needed to stabilize the project for mere users. These projects can be clearly seen as the ones that have the largest installed base of users.


Yes, I stole the word hackery.... Here is the real definition: hackery