Why Extreme Was Used

Are you curious to know why the word Extreme was used in ExtremeProgramming?

From the Preface of ExtremeProgrammingExplained: "So why the "extreme" in the name? Because XP takes commonsense principles and practices them to extreme levels."

In Kent's words: "When I first articulated XP, I had the mental image of knobs on a control board. Each knob was a practice that from experience I knew worked well. I would turn all the knobs up to 10 [i.e., to their extremes] and see what happened."

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Some view the use of "Extreme..." as a now-dated use of a prefix that was very trendy at the turn of the century (the book was published in 2000). Here's a choice sample of some "extreme" things:

• www.extreme.com
• Extreme sports
• Extreme Dating
• Extreme Ironing
• Extreme Makeover
• Extreme Pumpkins
• Etc (you get the picture).

It shows a danger inherent in titling a book or concept -- names that are hot, new and exciting at the moment (to attract attention and buzz) are quickly cold, old, and dull after the moment has passed.

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If ExtremeProgramming is not extreme as in extreme sports, extreme dating, etc., what's with IronGeek?

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See: DontCallItExtreme i will read this seriously :)