I like broken systems. Especially those that still manage to generate money. We all want to see clean code, written by sane people. But the reality is that it is rare. And when you meet clean code, there is a rigorous process that makes it nearly impossible to add new code/features.

I worked at such place that boasted security on the outside. From within, it was spit and duct tape. I couldn't believe it was a fortune 10. After couple of weeks working on one of the smaller projects, I created a new branch and called it rewrite.

When I had free time, I would rewrite the entire project from scratch. I really hated all the in line mysql connections in side_bar_bottom_new_v2.php. It took me a month to realize that I couldn't rewrite an application that was built over the course of 10 years, in my spare time. Only when I embraced it and took the time to understand how it was built, was I able to turn it into a secure app (messy, but still secure).

Now when I meet dysfunctional systems, I don't get mad. I challenge myself to figuring out what the heck it is doing.