[blaze33]

Actual reports from actual users are priceless to build what provides value actually worth paying for.

I've met devs considering good code and well engineered systems as their ultimate work goals. While myself, only ever saw software as tools towards any actual value keeping the business afloat.

Does that make me a weird software engineer? Or one that should look for some better suited role? Still wondering...

[mey]

It doesn't make you weird, but unfortunately may put you in the minority of developers. There is a balance to be struck. Business can drive really bad technical decisions (debt) due to time/people constraints that take decades to remove. This may be needed simply to get the company going or stay going (see most startup MVPs). Those decisions need to be intentional and strategic, otherwise it becomes the norm, and your entire company gets bogged down in supporting "legacy" systems. On the other extreme, a "perfect" solution can never be delivered so it's kind of hard to sell.

My anecdotal experience is that these trade offs are rarely consciously made, instead made by who ever has political power at the time.

[blaze33]

Good point. I may add I constantly try to learn and understand best software or engineering practice while working hard to also stay aware of whats most useful for the business. As you say " There is a balance to be struck"!

Like trying to know enough to deliver value while avoiding shooting yourself in the foot and also not wasting time on what's only seen as a black box by outsiders?