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# Throwback Thursday: October 17, 2024
- URL: https://nolongerset.com/throwback-thursday-2024-10-17/
- Published: 2024-10-18T01:26:30.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-08T12:42:14.000Z
- Description: Today's edition of Throwback Thursday is all about one of my two favorite programming books: "Code That Fits in Your Head," by Mark Seemannn.
- Author: Mike Wolfe
- Tags: Throwback Thursday, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59

*With over a million words scattered across more than 1,300 articles on this blog, you've probably missed a few things here.*

*That’s why each week in "Throwback Thursday," we’ll revisit some standout posts. Expect a blend of my personal favorites, insightful articles from other great minds, and a touch of coding humor to keep things light.*

---

## Highlights from NoLongerSet.com

[Code that Fits in Your Head“Code that Fits in Your Head” is to senior software developers what “Code Complete” is to junior software developers. I can think of no higher praise.![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2023/08/Code-That-Fits-in-Your-Head.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/code-that-fits-in-your-head/)

[Managing Software Complexity: The Rule of SevenDon’t try to increase the number of balls you can keep in the air; instead, reduce the number of balls needed to follow your software’s logic.![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2023/03/Rule-of-Seven.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/rule-of-seven/)

[Command Query Separation: A Technique for Reducing Code ComplexityOne helpful way to reduce the complexity of your code is to be intentional about how and where your code produces side effects.![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2023/09/Command-Query-Separation-1.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/command-query-separation/)

[What are Pure Functions?The concept of pure functions explained in under 100 words. #under100![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2023/08/Pure-functions--1-.jpeg)](https://nolongerset.com/what-are-pure-functions/)

[Complex vs. ComplicatedThe difference between complex and complicated explained in under 100 words. #Under100![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2023/08/Complex-vs.-Complicated--1-.jpeg)](https://nolongerset.com/complex-vs-complicated/)

[Idempotence vs. DeterminismIdempotent functions can safely be run multiple times. Deterministic functions always return the same output given the same inputs. Let’s explore further.![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2023/02/Idempotence-vs.-Determinism.jpeg)](https://nolongerset.com/idempotence-vs-determinism/)

## Wisdom from Around the Web

[New book: Code That Fits in Your HeadThe expanded universe.![](https://blog.ploeh.dk/assets/themes/ploeh/images/favicons/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png)ploeh blogMark Seemann![](https://blog.ploeh.dk/content/binary/ctfiyh.jpg)](https://blog.ploeh.dk/2021/06/14/new-book-code-that-fits-in-your-head/)

[Archive![](https://blog.ploeh.dk/assets/themes/ploeh/images/favicons/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png)ploeh blogMark Seemann![](https://blog.ploeh.dk/assets/themes/ploeh/images/favicons/favicon.png)](https://blog.ploeh.dk/archive/)

## Developer Humor

### Haskell

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2024/10/image-9.png)](https://xkcd.com/1312/)

The problem with Haskell is that it's a language built on lazy evaluation and nobody's actually called for it.

*Cover image generated by Ideogram*