Simple Devs Manifesto

The Simple Devs Manifesto

We hold that the highest and the most essential test of code quality is simplicity. Simple code is good code, and the simplest solution is the best solution.

In a word:

Simplicity == Quality

What is "simple" code?

Characteristics:

• Precise
• Brief
• Clear
• Deterministic

Qualifications:

• Not necessarily small in scope
• Not necessarily easy to implement
• Not necessarily fewer characters or LOC
• Not necessarily devoid of complexity
• Not confined to any one language
• Not always possible

Benefits:

• Readability
• Understandability
• Maintainability
• Reusability
• Adaptability
• Extensibility

Inspiration:

I have made this one longer only because I did not have the leisure to make it shorter.
~ Blaise Pascal

I have already made this paper too long, for which I must crave pardon, not having now time to make it shorter.
~ Benjamin Franklin

Just as the shortest distance between two points defines a line, so the simplest way to solve the problem is the best solution.
~ The Simple Devs

Conclusion

• Developers must be focused
• Developers must be flexible
• Solutions must be as simple as possible
• Code must be as readable as possible

Application

• Define the solution you are trying to solve
• Use the best language/library for the job
• Build for reusability
• Don’t sacrifice readability

Related statements/principles:

• DRY
• SOLID
• YAGNI
• Human
• Beautiful