I'm not complaining, but I didn't realize how much work it was. It makes me really respect the people who do it on a regular basis.
For example:
- You know how to use your software, but other people don't. So you need to write documentation.
- You can just modify the source files, but it's impractical for everyone to do that. So you need to add a config file.
- You can just drag the output files into place, but that's impractical for everyone to do. So you need to package it.
- You trust yourself, but distro maintainers rightfully don't. So you need to package your source code and configure the package to compile it.
- You will abide by your idea of how the software should be used, but other people might not. So you need to pick a license.
Sometimes I think there must be an easier way, but I can't think of any. I guess it probably gets easier with experience.
I've seen a chart where software development complexity grows 3 times on each of these steps. For example:
- implement a business logic: 1 day
- cover with tests: 1 * 3 = 3 days
- write documentation: 1 * 3 * 3 = 9 days
- make it installable by other users: 1 * 3 * 3 * 3 = 27 days
Documentation is very useful today (to clarify our thoughts on what is useful and what is not, what is in scope and what is not), and for our future selves.
Writing small bits of software made me appreciative of the work teams put on large pieces of infrastructure!
But maybe you personally don’t have to write the docs or packaging stuff; if you publish it as open source, others can have a go themselves! :)
I write config files for my own stuff I use FWIW but yeah you're right lol open-source software is much more work. Still it's rewarding though to be able to share your cool software with the world.
Just so do it for you so it’s not a drag
How to compile & deploy
How to operate
