the golden hammer

programmingops culture

Over-relying on one familiar tool for every problem, whether or not it fits.

From 'if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail', it describes reaching for your favorite language, framework, or pattern reflexively instead of choosing what the problem needs. The cure is a bigger toolbox and the judgment to know when the hammer is wrong.

Also known as: Maslow's hammer, law of the instrument, if all you have is a hammer

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