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pessimissim about external libraries

 
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Hi guys ... This is more of a "software culture" question, but, I figured the Agile Processes area would be a good place to post it, since
it is related to managing programmers.....

What is the best way to deal with someone who is pessimistic about using external libraries on a software project... I embrace new technologies, and hate reinventing the wheel; are there any good "methods" for evaluating a new open source utility which are efficient and objective ? This would make the process of arguing over things like "spring vs struts" "ibatis vs firestorm" "swing vs swt" a little more cleaner in the workplace.....
 
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The best way I know of is acknowledging that his perspective is in no way less valid than mine. And to keep in mind that such a decision is always far from being objective, anyway.

When you discuss this topic, always be clear that the goal is not to use library X. The goal is to solve a problem. You first need to agree on what the problem is. Then you need to agree on what the criteria are for solving the problem. Then you should explore options: what different solutions are available? Be creative. Only then you can make a good decision.

Also keep in mind that a decision doesn't have to be final. Often the best decision you can make is in the form of a timeboxed experiment.

It also doesn't need to be in favor of exactly one solution. Often it makes sense to try several solutions in parallel for a time, to be better able to evaluate them. Make sure that it's not just "everyone evaluates his prefered solution".

Hope this helps.
 
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