Engineering
The quiet value of simple software
Clear code makes tradeoffs easier to see and systems easier to change.
Simple software starts with a clear problem. Before adding an abstraction, ask what the system receives, what it must do, and what the next developer needs to understand.
Prefer a direct explanation
A small method can say more than a flexible interface that has only one use:
public String greeting(String name) {
return "Hello, " + name + ".";
}
Make the tradeoffs visible
| Choice | What it buys you |
|---|---|
| Plain files | Easy editing and version history |
| Server rendering | Pages that work without JavaScript |
| A small dependency set | Less to maintain |
Simplicity takes judgment. Keep the parts that earn their place.