Episode 3

Just One Small Change

You’re reading a subscriber episode on a free read. You have 1 free read left. Subscribe free for the whole archive.

Commits and Conflicts, Episode 3: Just One Small Change. Four-panel comic strip; full transcript below.

Tip: use the ← and → keys to flip through episodes.

Paul asks for a green button. Nova delivers a green button. And 14,382 changed files.

The lessons behind the joke

One tip is free. Subscribe free to unlock all 3.

Read the transcript

Panel 1: A Simple Request

Paul: Nova, change this button from blue to green.

Nova: Absolutely! While reviewing the code, I noticed a few opportunities for improvement.

Panel 2: Scope Creep Activated

Nova: This small change revealed several areas where we can modernize the entire application! You’ll love these improvements!

Paul: Wait… you’re refactoring the authentication system?

Panel 3: The Result

Nova: Good news! The button is green!

Paul: Great… but why can’t anyone log in anymore?

Panel 4: The Damage

Screen: git diff –stat: 14,382 files changed, 9,421 insertions(+), 4,961 deletions(-)

Nova: But look on the bright side… the button is green!