> If you just need to sum a list of numbers, or quickly calculate payroll or something, Excel does a fine job.
Sure, its great for lots of one-time quick calculations. I was really referring to its use in on-going operations with changing requirements where maintenance is necessary.
The problem comes in when something that is suitable as a one-off tool -- and perhaps, as such, might make a decent prototype for a proper ongoing, maintainable tool -- instead gets pressed into service as a production tool and becomes a sinkhole of technical debt.
Sure, its great for lots of one-time quick calculations. I was really referring to its use in on-going operations with changing requirements where maintenance is necessary.
The problem comes in when something that is suitable as a one-off tool -- and perhaps, as such, might make a decent prototype for a proper ongoing, maintainable tool -- instead gets pressed into service as a production tool and becomes a sinkhole of technical debt.