MENTAL MODEL · M1040

Works on My Machine

TechnicalmediumSoftware Engineering

Included

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The developer's most notorious excuse. The code runs perfectly in the local development environment but crashes in the production environment (on the user's side). The cause is differences in environment dependencies (configuration, library versions).

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Environment de-dependency. When you give a suggestion or solution, ask yourself: "Is this only effective in my environment (my resources, background, capabilities), or will it also run in the other party's production environment (their resources, constraints)?" Don't be a 'locally effective' consultant.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Software operation depends on the 'environment' (operating system, library versions, configuration, data, hardware). Local success but production crash stems from environment differences that invalidate implicit assumptions. The environment is a hidden input that cannot be ignored; any 'it works' is tied to a specific environmental context, and 'success' detached from context is not transferable.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/4

Practice this model in one real situation:

Treat 'works on my machine' as a red flag rather than a conclusion
List and lock dependencies (versions, configuration) to form a reproducible environment (containers/lock files)
Validate in a pre-production environment close to production
Include environment differences in the deliverable itself.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

account_treeGenealogyexpand_more

menu_bookReferencesexpand_more

Source support: Explicit

link
blog.codinghorror.comhttps://blog.codinghorror.com/the-works-on-my-machine-certification-program/ZH · Explicit
verified

RELATED MODELS