Writing Cleaner Code with DRY, KISS, and YAGNI
In software development, three timeless principles help us write clean, maintainable, and efficient code:
🔁 DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself)
Avoid duplicating code or knowledge. Centralize logic into reusable methods, classes, or interfaces to improve consistency and reduce bugs.
✨ KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
Prioritize simplicity. Use clear names, avoid overengineering, and build straightforward solutions that are easier to test, maintain, and extend.
🚫 YAGNI (You Ain’t Gonna Need It)
Don’t build features “just in case.” Focus only on what’s needed today. This keeps the codebase lean, flexible, and cost-efficient.
Why these matter:
- Cleaner, more consistent code
- Faster onboarding and easier maintenance
- Reduced complexity and development costs
- Flexibility to adapt as requirements evolve
💡 Takeaway: Apply DRY to remove repetition, KISS to embrace simplicity, and YAGNI to focus on essentials. Together, they form a strong foundation for sustainable and high-quality code.