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Comment by K0balt | Hacker News Reader

I think op is using “develop” as in :

To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase; to promote the growth of. “We must develop our own resources to the utmost. Jowett (Thucyd).”

Rather than develop as in the contemporary software engineering sense synonymous with create.

In this sense, the breed was further developed to serve railway terminals from the original breed created to service maritime ports.

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That other definition doesn't really seem to fit either, but I acknowledge that if they had used a different word ("adopted a bigger breed" or "popularized a bigger breed" or something) then it would fit with the anecdote.

In working animal husbandry, breeds are rarely static and are typically selectively bred for the task at hand. As that task or its environment evolves, the breed is further developed or even forked to accommodate the new conditions.

So I think “developed” is fairly appropriate here, though “adapted” might have been more clear.

It's not just software engineering, a mechanical engineer might develop a new kind of coffee machine.

In engineering we are accustomed to getting involved early in the creation process, and our usage of "develop" reflects this bias.

Outside of that bubble, "develop" is very explicit that the thing already exists. For example, developing a musical theme, a muscle, or a country.

Yeah, it is engineering in general, I think you are right.

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