Manfred's Life.

Bit by Bit.

A Picture, A Proof of Concept, and Their Worth

package poc

// Proof demonstrates an idea in action.
type Proof struct {
    Idea string
}

// Run executes the proof of concept, showcasing its feasibility.
func (p Proof) Run() string {
    return "Demonstrating: " + p.Idea
}

💻 > 🖼️ > 🔤.

Let’s be honest: communicating ideas is a grind. You can write paragraphs of explanation, sketch an elaborate diagram, or just build something that works. That’s where the Proof of Concept (PoC) shines—it skips the noise and gets straight to the point.

A picture is worth a thousand words. True, but pictures are static snapshots. They help you visualize, but they don’t answer the critical question: Can this thing actually work?

A PoC is worth a thousand pictures. Because it doesn’t just show—it proves. It’s the bridge from “I think this works” to “Here’s the thing working.” A well-built PoC doesn’t just communicate—it convinces.

Picture of a PoC

Visualizing a PoC can sometimes be just as impactful as building it. Diagrams, flowcharts, or even conceptual layouts can clarify how a PoC works. But here’s the kicker: I see specs as the ultimate “picture of a PoC.”

Specs, when done right, don’t just describe—they embody the final product. They’re blueprints that feel more like PoCs than words. They don’t explain; they declare. And that’s why they matter—they represent the thing, not the idea of the thing.

When a PoC Comes First

Sometimes, building a PoC isn’t just about proving an idea—it’s the fastest way to figure out what the idea even is. When your problem is too messy to visualize or too abstract for words, a quick PoC can give you clarity.

Think of it as building the scaffolding before the structure. A PoC can act as a preliminary step, a way to uncover insights that guide the next stage, whether that’s a picture, a spec, or the final product itself.

💻 > 🖼️ > 🔤. That’s the hierarchy.

graph LR;
A[PoC]
B[Picture]
A-->B
B-->A
B-->A
B-->C[Words]
A-->C
A-->B
C-->B
C-->A

The next time you’re stuck explaining something, ask yourself: Are you still using words? Can you sketch it? Or better yet, can you build something to prove it?

Dive into the broader cultural impact of sharing and collaboration in “Open Source: Beyond Code”.

💻 > 🖼️ > 🔤. Use them wisely.