Context, Stupid!

Explore the importance of context in software development and IT decision-making in this thought-provoking conference talk. Delve into common industry mantras and revealed truths, examining their validity and potential pitfalls when applied without proper consideration of context. Learn how to distinguish between proper usage and potential disasters by understanding the crucial role context plays in various scenarios. Discover real-world examples, from space missions to database management, that illustrate the consequences of neglecting context. Gain insights into topics such as sorting algorithms, database indexing, programming paradigms, and cultural considerations in IT. Challenge your assumptions, develop critical thinking skills, and learn to question established practices to make more informed decisions in your software development career.

Intro
Agenda
Caveat emptor
The game
Context exists
Mars Climate Orbiter
Mars Probe
Hot Story
Speed of light
Space travel
Structure gauge
Tram tracks
Office space
Respect
Denial
Russian keyboard
Cultural context matters
Context is freaked out
IT dilemmas
Quick sort
Problems
Branch
Factors of sorting algorithm
The best sorting algorithm
Slow application
Database admin
Indexing
Indexes are not free lunch
How you process your data is your context
Printing a sorted list
The answer
The example
Not for free
Sorting
Java is broken
I hate PowerPoint
Interrupt
Threat interrupts
Black Thursday
Dont be too narrow
Wai and Wai
Fishbone diagram
Good compositions
Takeaway
Questions