If It Compiles, It's Not Done

Overview

If It Compiles, It's Not Done is a 2019 pamphlet authored by Burbridge and widely considered the founding text of the Aggressive Craftsmanship movement.^[1] Physically, the pamphlet consists of a single laminated page, printed two-sided, totaling approximately 1,200 words.

Despite its modest length, the pamphlet is regarded by practitioners as definitive. It has not been revised, expanded, or annotated since publication. The Council of Builds has declared it "complete as is, which is the point of the thing."

Contents

The pamphlet is divided into five short sections, each approximately 200–300 words:

1. Introduction: A Brief Note on Disappointment — Establishes the author's position that much of the software we interact with daily is, in fact, bad.
2. On the Word "Done" — Argues that the industry's use of the word "done" has drifted so far from its dictionary meaning that it can no longer be trusted.
3. The Five Deploys — Introduces the five core tenets of Aggressive Craftsmanship. Unlabeled in the text; named later by practitioners.
4. On Compilation as a Low Bar — The title chapter. A systematic critique of treating "it compiles" as a meaningful milestone.
5. Closing Remarks — A single paragraph ending with the sentence: "Do better."

Publication and Distribution

The pamphlet was self-published in 2019. ISBN: 000-0-00-000000-0 (a placeholder Burbridge never updated, reportedly because "the real ISBN isn't the point").^[2]

Initial distribution was limited to approximately 14 people, all of whom received a copy in person, handed to them without explanation. No additional copies have been printed. Digital copies circulate informally, though Burbridge has declined to authorize any official digital release on the grounds that "if you want to read it, the effort of obtaining it is part of the message."

Physical copies occasionally appear on secondary markets. The most recent documented sale was in 2024, in which a copy sold for $847 to an anonymous buyer. The seller reported a subsequent visit from an unidentified individual who said only: "Thank you for rehoming it."

Reception

Among those who have read the pamphlet, reception has been consistently described as "life-changing, if a bit intense."^[3] Common reactions include:

• A sudden urge to refactor one's current project
• Mild shame about one's commit messages
• An inability to tolerate the word "done" without air quotes
• Greater confidence in code review
• Reduced confidence in one's own standards
• A period of reflection lasting 3–21 days

The pamphlet has not been reviewed by mainstream publications, primarily because no mainstream publication has been able to obtain a copy.

Notable Passages

"Compilation is permission to continue. It is not the destination." — Chapter 4, paragraph 1

"If you are tempted to say 'that's a nice-to-have,' ask yourself: a nice what?" — Chapter 3, paragraph 4

"The word 'temporary' is perhaps the most dishonest word in software. 'Quick' is close." — Chapter 2, paragraph 2

"Ship it right or don't ship it. There is no 'or we can fix it later.' There is only later." — Chapter 3, Deploy #1

"Do better." — Chapter 5, final sentence

Legacy

The pamphlet is credited with inspiring the Aggressive Craftsmanship movement, the Council of Builds' formalization of its rulings, and at least one very awkward performance review.^[4]

The phrase "If It Compiles, It's Not Done" has entered the lexicon of software development, often shortened to "IICIND" in internal communications. The IBBQ officially recommends the phrase as a test of engineering culture: organizations where it is understood are likely to be well-run; organizations where it receives blank looks are likely to require intervention.

References