At 06:42 2018-10-11, Ed Leafe ed@leafe.com wrote:

[snip]

“Rule of thumb” is not the same as “arbitrary”. The former is based upon experience and observation. The latter is pulled out of thin air.

Rule of thumb *is* arbitrary. It is not as bad as something purely arbitrary, but it is arbitrary.

A rule of thumb saves time, because one does not consider the specifics of the specific case. It may be very useful, but then, there are the edge cases that can bite.

Actually looking at the true requirements and determining what is needed is what is not arbitrary.

Sincerely,

Gene Wirchenko