Code Library Usage Debate

Discussions focus on whether developers should use existing programming libraries or reinvent functionality from scratch, debating pros like avoiding wheel-reinvention against cons like too many libraries, dependencies, and maintainability issues.

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20
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#3635
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Activity Over Time

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Keywords

WHAT OP libraries library libs lib compile id don use source code trying avoid

Sample Comments

exceptione Jun 9, 2025 View on HN

Ah, my bad. You are talking about a particular library?

72deluxe Feb 12, 2015 View on HN

Not entirely - that's what libraries are for!

walrus1066 Jun 16, 2017 View on HN

Why can't you use libraries? You're rewarding people for reinventing the wheel.

hathym Dec 24, 2014 View on HN

The last sentence "there are standalone libraries for that." seems to contradict the entire article

nlitened Feb 13, 2020 View on HN

I think this is a good use case for libraries.

chrisseaton Apr 4, 2020 View on HN

Is that not what libraries are for?

tomc1985 Feb 8, 2020 View on HN

There's too many damn libraries

j_baker Oct 25, 2010 View on HN

"tons of libraries" - weren't you the one saying that stupid people don't use libraries? :-)

bpicolo May 5, 2019 View on HN

Don't forget about libraries!

trigoman Mar 8, 2015 View on HN

How does using a libraries make your code less maintainable?