Objects, Components, and Services Are Not Legos

by Ken Orr

There are analogies that make it possible for a new field like software engineering to make progress, and there are analogies that confuse the basic issues. One of the latter is comparing software elements (objects, components, services, etc.) with Lego blocks. Now, my criticism is not against Lego blocks; I love Legos, my kids love Legos, and my grandkids love Legos.... BUT LEGOS ARE NOT PARTS OF REAL PRODUCT DESIGNS -- THEY ARE NEAT BLOCKS OF MULTIPLE COLORS AND SIZES THAT CAN BE PUT TOGETHER TO RESEMBLE REAL THINGS! While sets of Lego blocks can be used to build "play castles," "play houses," "play cars," and "play trucks," the "play 'things'" can't be confused with real products or even models of real things.