Varnish – Why no SSL? (2011)

Sometimes the functionality or complexity of code means it cannot be beautiful. Donald Knuth wrote, "Sometimes we focus to much on the simplicity of an expression in a higher order algebraic language and lose site of what actually takes place on the machine."

Now I'm not defending OpenSSL, its a mess. But judging a code base merely on its LOC, or from a place of aesthetic beauty, completely overlooks the main function of software namely working.

I bet the author would be abhorred by some of the hacks and horrible design decisions made within the Linux, and GNU stack his software runs on top of.