Love Letter to Legacy

Explore a thought-provoking conference talk that challenges the negative perception of legacy systems in software development. Discover why maintaining existing codebases is a task for experienced engineers and how brownfield development can be more exciting than working in a feature factory. Learn about the value of legacy systems, which often generate revenue, operate reliably, and support various other systems. Gain insights into what defines legacy, how to effectively describe it, and the lessons it offers. Uncover strategies for maintaining legacy software, including ways to make maintenance appealing, the role of the "you build it, you run it" approach, and the importance of retaining experienced engineers. Understand the significance of autonomy and prioritizing people over processes and tools in software maintenance. This 20-minute talk provides valuable perspectives on embracing and effectively managing legacy systems in the field of platform engineering.