Text Only Development
Text Only Development is a software development approach that emphasizes using plain text files and command-line tools for coding, configuration, and documentation, avoiding graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and proprietary formats. It promotes simplicity, portability, and automation by relying on human-readable text that can be easily version-controlled, edited with any text editor, and processed by scripts. This methodology is often associated with Unix-like environments and developer workflows that prioritize efficiency and reproducibility.
Developers should adopt Text Only Development when working in environments requiring high automation, cross-platform compatibility, or collaboration through version control systems like Git, as text files are universally supported and diff-friendly. It is particularly useful for DevOps, system administration, and backend development where configuration files (e.g., YAML, JSON), scripts, and documentation need to be managed consistently and programmatically. This approach reduces tool lock-in and enhances productivity by enabling quick edits and integrations via command-line interfaces.