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This is true when you can reference the commit to an issue. Then, seeing the simple commit message you can select if you want to dig up what happened by reading up the comments at the issue.

On the other hand it really gets into my nerves when people don't use the task/issue/whatever manager system appropriately. Recently, I lost a couple of days trying to figure out how to compile a c++ framework because the other guy didn't document his pipeline. In general I'm really disappointed by the majority of my colleagues for the lack of comments inside and outside of our codebase and this is a persistent issue, at all the companies I worked for. Me along with other similarly irritated people, always ask for documentation if it is not given.




> Recently, I lost a couple of days trying to figure out how to compile a c++ framework because the other guy didn't document his pipeline

Some people do it for job safety. The logic is if you don't document things and the knowledge is only in your head then you are more valuable, they can't get rid of you easily. If you document everything meticulously, then you are easier to replace.


> Some people do it for job safety. The logic is ...

Has anyone actually seen this logic work out well for the person that invokes it? Generally the type of person that uses it is one that you probably don't want on your team.


I have!

Company promoted the guy and raised his salary because he had plan to leave the company


I know in instances like that, though, my next step would be to start working on contingency plans, as if someone has proven themselves to be indispensable, then that very fact is a risk that needs to be managed.


Like having a new guy learn the material, taught by the old guy who doesn't want anyone else knowing it!


> Recently, I lost a couple of days trying to figure out how to compile a c++ framework because the other guy didn't document his pipeline.

This is assuming documenting the pipeline would have been helping! You may have spent a few days instead figuring out why your seemingly identical setup couldn't reproduce the build...

Not that I'm bitter about build systems or anything.


Talented coworkers dont need documentation very often... If someone cant figure out how to compile something, its likely they are missing knowledge about the language in general...




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