[pjmlp]

In a life sciences research center I worked with, the work was definitely not done after those scientists got their csv processed files out of the cell reader own data format, generated using their home made VB.NET tool.

It didn't matter, those files were done used as input data into Tableau for further processing, where they could carry on doing the work that actually mattered to them.

[newswasboring]

I never said you cannot do stuff using VB.NET. Why is this so hard to understand? My point is was VB.NET the best way to do it? Should we praise the tool as good? How do you know that this excel thing, which does not support testing, does not provide feedback when stuff goes wrong will not blow up in your face like that COVID excel[1] from UK did? Please go back and re read my example about the spoon.

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-54423988

[pjmlp]

Yes it was, those people were comfortable with VBA, asked IT for VB.NET and were able to quickly proceed with the work that actually mattered to them.

This is the daily reality of industries whose software isn't the main service, not doing beautiful software to reach HN first page.

[newswasboring]

I think you are misinterpreting my point. I am not saying it cannot be done. I am saying it has higher risk and we should not normalize it just because it gets stuff done. I would like you to actually address the point about the public issues posed by these setups like I pointed out in the COVID case.

Also, you said

> asked IT for VB.NET and were able to quickly proceed with the work that actually mattered to them

I have already addressed this. > We just make it work not because its possible, but because nobody wants to go through the requisition forms.

Edit: Also just insisting that whatever makes it work should be used sounds like a carpenter who is proud of using a spoon as a hammer. Even if you are not a carpenter, I don't think anyone would feel good about using spoon as a hammer in a DIY project.