Reducing Entropy in Software Development
I just read an excellent article that resonated with me.
Here's a direct link if you want to skip my take on it =]
Priyal Walpita
Consistently, I see projects slow down over time (and sometimes it doesn't take long) due to entropy being introduced at multiple layers in the system.
The article by Priyal does a great job at diving into some of the major problem during development that create entropy.
I'll summarize the article here, and hopefully have some time in the future to write about each of these areas, and how particular patterns can help reduced overall entropy.
Sometimes I'm asked "how do you develop so fast?" - and until the past year, I didn't really know how to answer that question accurately.
Previously I'd give a canned answer about patterns and refactoring, but it was really only half an answer.
I've found "entropy reducing patterns" specifically allow me to accelerate my development and create maintainable applications. Perhaps I was subconsciously drawn to these types of patterns and didn't truly understand why they were so helpful.
Priyal's article discusses the concept of software entropy, drawing a parallel to entropy in thermodynamics. It highlights the inevitable increase in disorder in software systems over time, similar to the disorder in physical systems as stated in the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This phenomenon affects the productivity, performance, and maintenance costs of software, turning well-structured code into a disorganized state.
He outlines strategies to manage and reduce software entropy, ensuring long-term vitality and usability of software projects. These include:
- Software Cruft: It emphasizes the importance of avoiding "cruft" – unnecessary, outdated, or poorly structured code, as described by Martin Fowler. Reducing cruft improves software quality and development efficiency.
- Business Domain Mapping: This involves understanding the business problem thoroughly before creating technical solutions, ensuring the software aligns with business needs and processes.
- Modular Design: The principle of breaking down a system into separate, distinct modules, each performing a specific task, to reduce complexity and enhance maintainability.
- Architectural Principles: Following established principles in system design and development, such as modularity, scalability, and security, to create sustainable and efficient software systems.
- Clean Code: Writing code that is easy to read, understand, and modify, thereby reducing errors and easing future modifications.
- Frequent Refactoring: Regularly updating and improving the structure of existing code to manage complexity and keep the codebase efficient.
- Unit Testing and Code Reviews: Employing these practices ensures code quality, catches bugs early, and maintains a standard across the codebase.
- Documentation: Creating comprehensive records of the software’s functionality and architecture to facilitate understanding and maintenance.
- Security from the Project Inception: Incorporating security measures from the beginning of the project, known as 'security by design'.
- CI/CD Practices: Implementing Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment from the start to facilitate frequent and reliable code releases.
These practices are importan in combating software entropy!
Software entropy is not a one-time challenge but a continuous one, requiring ongoing effort and adherence to best practices. By following these principles, developers can create robust, high-quality software that remains functional and relevant over time.