[...]
> Prefering instead a set of hacks which together solve the problem.
> Never mind that when the boss comes in and specifies some
> modifications three new hacks go on top of the old hacks. Then next
> time three more hacks go on top... etc. Until the code becomes
> unmanagable.

I don't understand what you consider a hack (?). The people that helped you
showed you a series of steps to solve your problem. You don't need to repeat
this steps every time you want to apply your transformation. You can enclose
them in a method of string, or in a function. Did it need to be specifically
stated?