Add daily email for 2024-02-10

Do you really need it?

source/_daily_emails/2024-02-10.md

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+---
+title: Do you really need it?
+date: 2024-02-10
+permalink: archive/2024/02/10/do-you-really-need-it
+snippet: |
+    Do you really need that new feature? What are the long-term implications of adding it?
+tags:
+    - software-development
+---
+
+{% block content %}
+Before adding a new feature or change to a codebase, ask if it's really needed and consider its long-term implications.
+
+Code is easy to write, but needs to be maintained as newer language or framework features are added or have breaking changes.
+
+Something I've added recently to Build Configs was an option to use an [inclusive or exclusive .gitignore file][gitignore].
+
+Whilst it's only adding an if condition based on a value, it adds a separate path in my code and both need to be maintained.
+
+I've been thinking of adding `just` again to some projects instead of a `run` file, which would add separate files that need to be maintained and kept up-to-date with each other so both offer the same features.
+
+Is this something I want to maintain going forward? Does it add enough value to justify its maintenance?
+
+Different to a feature flag, which usually has a known lifespan, this could need be maintained for the whole lifespan of the application.
+
+On a client project, this could be having two sets of buttons with rounded and square corners.
+
+Do we need both?
+
+It could be the positioning of a title in a header. Fewer options mean there is less code to write and maintain.
+
+In a Drupal project, each choice could mean adding a different field, taxonomy term, or content or block type to achieve the desired result.
+
+The more we can achieve with fewer options means the application will be easier to maintain and work on in the future.
+
+[gitignore]: {{site.url}}/archive/2024/01/27/gitignore-inclusive-or-exclusive
+{% endblock %}
+
+{% block cta %}
+P.S. Do you need immediate access to an expert Drupal Developer? [With my Drupal development subscription][subscription], make unlimited requests for a fixed monthly price in less time than posting to a job board!
+
+[subscription]: {{site.url}}/subscription
+{% endblock %}