# The problem with modern software: Unnecessary complexity and bad practices
We live in a time when software should be more accessible, powerful and
simple than ever before. Yet we find ourselves surrounded by bloated
applications, oversized libraries, and tools that, instead of simplifying
the lives of users and developers, add layers of unnecessary complexity.
How did we get here?
## The feature obsession
One of the main culprits is the features obsession. Every update must
introduce "something new", often at the expense of efficiency or system
stability. Applications like modern text editors or web browsers have
become huge conglomerates of features that few users really need,
sacrificing speed and lightness. Adding a plugin or library has become the
default approach for every new requirement, even when it could be
implemented natively in a leaner way.
## Dependency hell
Another plague is dependencies. Many developers seem to ignore the
difference between reusing existing code and turning their software into a
fragile house of cards. It's common to find small projects with dozens, if
not hundreds, of external packages, each with its own vulnerabilities,
bugs and uncertain maintenance. This approach leads to security risks and
an overwhelming management burden.
## The illusion of flexibility
Frameworks and one-size-fits-all tools promise flexibility and rapid
development, but often deliver the opposite. Take Electron, for example:
it allows developers to build desktop applications using web technologies,
but at the cost of massive resource consumption.
Building a "native" application that uses 2GB of RAM just to open a simple
window is technological failure, not progress.
## Forgotten Best Practices
A glaring example of the decline of best practices is the proliferation of
overly complex and opaque configuration systems. Kubernetes, while powerful,
often takes hours (if not days) to understand and configure correctly,
forcing organisations to rely on outside consultants. The average user
shouldn't have to become an expert in distributed architecture just to run
an application.
## Solutions that solve nothing
Then there are "solutions" that create new problems. User interfaces
designed to be "intuitive" often hide advanced options under layers of
confusing menus, making it difficult to gain full control over the
software.
This is especially true of modern operating systems, which increasingly
limit customisation in favour of a "standardised" experience.
## Conclusion
The way out of this mess isn't easy, but it starts with collective
introspection.
We need to ask ourselves: are we really improving technology, or are we just
building monuments to our ability to complicate things? Simplicity,
lightness and efficiency are not outdated concepts - they're what we
should be striving for in every line of code we write.
