# Stop doing math in your config files

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-compromises-1309932/stop-doing-math-in-your-config-files
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-compromises-1309932/stop-doing-math-in-your-config-files.md
Podcast: [No Compromises](https://stenobird.com/podcast/no-compromises-1309932)
Published: 2026-01-31T06:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e3713c07
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/e3713c07/a859a6c0.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/no-compromises-1309932/episodes/stop-doing-math-in-your-config-files
Duration seconds: 560

## Resource

Ever feel the urge to write out calculations in your code to make them "self-documenting"? In the latest episode of the No Compromises podcast, we discuss why inline math in configuration values is a habit worth breaking. Aaron argues that if a value never changes, there's no reason to calculate it every time. A well-placed comment can explain how you got the number without the unnecessary overhead. We also cover how comments can clarify units like seconds versus milliseconds, why this thinking applies beyond config files, and how questioning small habits can improve your code overall. (00:00) - How many seconds is five minutes? (01:45) - The problem with inline config math (03:45) - Using comments instead of runtime calculations (05:30) - Why questioning habits improves code (07:00) - Silly bit Want a second set of eyes on your Laravel project?

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## Transcript

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