Simplicity is the cornerstone of complex software development. By simplifying the architecture of complex software, it becomes easier for teams to reduce errors while helping them to collaborate effectively. The principle becomes even more important as requirements grow, as this means systems can be scaled, while still meeting diverse needs.
Article Breakdown
Balancing Complexity and Simplicity
Git is a prime example of how software can be complex, while embracing simplicity. Git operates using a DAG structure, allowing it to track and handle complex histories. Internally, there are cryptographic hash functions with the ability to handle large repositories and codebases. Despite its complexity, Git has a very simple user interface, with all commands following a logical structure. This makes the complex software suited to beginners as well as advanced developers. It’s also very easy to upgrade, due to the fact that it uses submodules for external repositories.
Another example would be the software used to create online games. Plinko for example has a complex physics engine that simulates the ball’s movement as it interacts with walls, pegs, and landing zones. Collision dynamics, gravity, and friction have to be calculated in real time. Although the outcome is random, the engine also has to reflect the RTP rate of 94.00%. With options to change the multiplayer values and size of the board, at its core, the software is complex. With that said, on the surface, the UX is simple, meaning even new users can learn the ropes relatively quickly. By building games in this way, it also becomes possible to release new variants and themes without having to write the code again from scratch. The software can also be compartmentalized, which makes it easier to update and move with the times.
Modularity and Scalability
One of the greatest advantages to keeping complex software simple, at its core, is maintainability. Software evolves and, over time, bugs are fixed, and new features are added. Simple code is easier to read, modify, and understand. Developers don’t have to spend hours unraveling logic or navigating layers of abstraction. This saves time, reduces frustration, and ultimately ensures that the software remains flexible for the future.
As systems grow, components have to interact seamlessly, too. Modular designs, as explained by Modular Management, allow components to be isolated, which minimizes how interdependent they are. Teams can then work on particular aspects of the system while ensuring that the architecture is maintained across the whole application.
Modularity like this is critical when developing large-scale or complex applications, like MS Office. Excel can be upgraded without having to unpack the code from Word, for example. Even though it’s under the same software umbrella, modularity is key to future success.
Ensuring that simplicity is at the core of software design is imperative, not just for developers but also for the longevity of the software. It also allows more features to be added without unpacking the entire code, and it ensures that improvements can be made without spending hours dismantling the application. As time goes on, development software is making it easier to build complex software but with simple architecture as well, which is leading to even more interesting advancements, features, and improvements. With so much potential and more advances being made by the year, it’s evident that the world of software design is looking brighter than ever.