What is good software design? Why does it matter? In this keynote, I addressed this complex problem. Going from the history of programming, through analogies with other design disciplines, ending with conclusions on what is good software design, and how to become a better designer.

1. What is Good Software
Design?
And why it matters?

2. 3 Core Questions
What is software design?
What makes software design good?
How do we obtain good software design?

3. I work in a strange team
4 girls + 2 guys
We communicate
Learning is mandatory
@alexboly alex.bolboaca@mozaicworks.com

4. Caveats
This is a high level talk
Not exhaustive
I will focus on new advice
@alexboly alex.bolboaca@mozaicworks.com

5. Learn 3 Romanian words
Da Nu Ioi!
@alexboly alex.bolboaca@mozaicworks.com

6. What is software design?

8. Babbage's Difference Machine

9. First computer programmer
Before computers existed

10. Weaving code by hand on boards

11. Increased
complexity
More
structure
Larger
code bases
Divide &
conquer
Abstractions
Cognitive
limitations

12. Built-in Abstractions
function doStuff()
x → x + 1
class A{}

13. Domain Abstractions
Speaker
Stream
Collection

14. OOP – How
Encapsulation
Inheritance
Polymorphism
Objects & Classes

15. OOP – Why?
Move complexity from
behavior to collaboration

16. Software Design
Managing complexity so that
the dev's brain can make sense
of the existing code
Is that it?

17. How about performance,
security ...

18. Software design means
structuring the code
so that
certain desirable
characteristics are met

19. What is good software design?

20. Definitely not art.
Ready to see some code art?

21. http://www0.us.ioccc.org/1990/westley.c

22. Desirable characteristics
Changeability
Performance
Security
Testability
Consistency
10 / 10
Aiming for:
8 / 10
8 / 10
10 / 10
8 / 10
Business benefit:
Low cost of feat.
User hapiness
Reputation
Low cost of feat.
Fast development

23. Good software design:
structuring the code
so that
certain desirable business
characteristics are met

24. Other desirable characteristics?
The users of software
design are:
programmers,
testers, ...

26. Other desirable characteristics?
Navigability
Consistency
Mistake-proofing
Easy setup for new
devs

27. How do we obtain good software design?

28. Good design practices
Good designers
+

29. Good Design Practices

30. Define problem = Understand “what” is required

31. Understand constraints

32. Prototype – until you get it

33. Process is awesome, but not enough
http://www.alexbolboaca.ro/my-take-on/what-is-really-tdd

34. Educate taste
Educate sense of observation
Research
Practice
Become a better designer
Express yourself

36. Example of Veja Du
cells[x + 1, y]
cells[x-1, y]
cells[x, y-1]
cells[x, y+1]
Axis!

37. Naming
Express yourself
Functional constructs
“Dream” your language

38. Will you push your limits
today as a designer?

39. Q&A
https://leanpub.com/
usablesoftwaredesign
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