[_ZeD_]

You think of code as an asset, but you're wrong: code is a cost.

Feature is what you want, and performance, and correctness, and robustness; not code

Older code is tested code, that is known to work, with known limitations and known performances

[shiandow]

A corollary is that if at all possible try to solve problems without code or, failing that, with less code.

[Beltiras]

Given that you want to solve problems with a computer, what is the alternative to code?

[brookst]

Why do you want to use a computer? When I hang pictures I have never once thought “I want to use a hammer”

[shiandow]

That is almost never truly a given. And even if it is, how you use the computer can be more important than the code.

And if you already have some code, simplifying it is also an option.

[codr7]

Restating the context as one where the problem doesn't exist.

Any fool can write code.

[ModernMech]

If there isn't one, then as little code as possible.

[abirch]

I agree, older code is evidence of survivorship bias. We don't see all of the code that was written with the older code that was removed or replaced (without a code repository).