What Is Hack?

The programming world is full of hacks and workarounds, inelegant solutions to problems that get the job done but aren't as efficient or elegant as they could be. In this sense, a hack is like a code kludge—a solution that works, but it's not pretty. But there's another way to think about hacking: as an art form. A hacker takes the time to produce code that accomplishes the task at hand and does so efficiently and uniquely. This hacker creates clean, efficient code that's more than just "good enough. " The best hackers make their work look effortless, but they're putting in hours and hours of hard work behind the scenes. When we talk about hacking, we're not talking about breaking into computers with malicious intent. We're talking about designing software to solve problems more efficiently. And we're also talking about the skillset that enables you to do this—learning how to write code and then apply it in new ways to solve problems. The term "hacking" has come to be associated with computer security because that's one of the most popular applications for hackers: finding vulnerabilities in computer systems and exploiting them to gain access to sensitive information. But this definition needs to be completed because it ignores the many other applications for hacking that don't involve breaking into systems with malicious intent. For example, a hacker could write code for fun or profit (i.e. , creating games or apps). A hacker might work for a company trying to develop new technology (like voice assistants) by experimenting with different solutions until they find one that functions well enough for their needs. All kinds of people could be considered hackers—including white hat hackers! If you're interested in becoming a better coder yourself (and really, who isn't? ), it's essential to understand the difference between good and bad codes. You might think you know what makes good code, but often times it's hard for anyone outside of your industry to understand the intricacies of what makes something good or bad.