🔗 Why dead code feels hard to delete

It’s a common challenge when developers hesitate to delete dead code, often due to the sunk cost fallacy or loss aversion. The sunk cost fallacy leads us to believe that since we invested time and effort into writing code, it holds inherent value. However, this line of thinking can lead to increased complexity and future costs. The loss aversion principle further complicates matters, as losing code feels worse than never having it at all, even if it's unused. Understanding these cognitive biases sheds light on why teams cling to dead code and emphasizes the need to view code as a liability, not a resource. Minimizing unnecessary code leads to more clarity and lower maintenance costs, ultimately helping teams serve their customers better.