Elegance

Esthetics

Problem solving is an art, and each artist has their own style. I remember when I was a junior systems programmer on an old CDC mainframe computer. Most of the operating system had been written by one guy, whose name I've now lost. Various other smart people added on local code, but I could tell when I was reading the master's code because it was so beautiful.

Instant Recognition

When you realize or appreciate an elegant solution, you are overwhelmed with a sense of its rightness. You will remember it. You will be able to re-create it. And it will inspire you.