Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M1526

Legacy Code

Legacy Code
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

Legacy code refers to source code that relates to operating systems or other computer technologies that are no longer supported or maintained. The term can also be used to describe code inserted into modern software to maintain outdated functionality.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Legacy code refers to source code that relates to operating systems or other computer technologies that are no longer supported or maintained. The term can also be used to describe code inserted into modern software to maintain outdated functionality.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Legacy code refers to old system code that is still in use but is difficult to understand and costly to modify, often fragile due to missing documentation, outdated technology, and high coupling.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

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Source support: Explicit

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    zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%81%97%E7%95%99%E4%BB%A3%E7%A0%81ZH · Explicit
    verified

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Kernighan's Law

Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place.

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