About 5 years ago I embarked on my own major project, and despite the differences (it's not even a game), your dedication has provided some inspiration, though not enough that I would quit my day job :)
I see the programming language question has already been asked. Maybe I can ask about related things: I'm also not a "classically trained" programmer, and not totally convinced I can keep a large program from sinking under its own weight. I get a lot of milage out of using haskell, then I write tons of tests, then I keep tons of notes, run profiles, etc. And yet I still always feel like its complexity is teetering right on the edge of my ability to control it. Even organizing the notes so I find them when I need to refresh my memory is a challenge. DF must be so much more challenging! Do you worry about the whole thing getting unmanageably top-heavy or being discouraged by really mysterious bugs or performance problems? And what techniques have you developed to combat those? Tests, profiles, walk outside, read some new user being thrilled about DF's crazy awesomeness?
How about source control? Backups? In my case having several copies of the repo scattered about (home computer, laptop, uploaded to github-alike) provides some peace of mind. I'd hate to see a fire or lightning strike or mine inundation destroy all that work.
elaforge4 karma
About 5 years ago I embarked on my own major project, and despite the differences (it's not even a game), your dedication has provided some inspiration, though not enough that I would quit my day job :)
I see the programming language question has already been asked. Maybe I can ask about related things: I'm also not a "classically trained" programmer, and not totally convinced I can keep a large program from sinking under its own weight. I get a lot of milage out of using haskell, then I write tons of tests, then I keep tons of notes, run profiles, etc. And yet I still always feel like its complexity is teetering right on the edge of my ability to control it. Even organizing the notes so I find them when I need to refresh my memory is a challenge. DF must be so much more challenging! Do you worry about the whole thing getting unmanageably top-heavy or being discouraged by really mysterious bugs or performance problems? And what techniques have you developed to combat those? Tests, profiles, walk outside, read some new user being thrilled about DF's crazy awesomeness?
How about source control? Backups? In my case having several copies of the repo scattered about (home computer, laptop, uploaded to github-alike) provides some peace of mind. I'd hate to see a fire or lightning strike or mine inundation destroy all that work.
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