Cognitive Load is what matters
11 days ago
- #maintainability
- #software-development
- #cognitive-load
- Cognitive load is a fundamental constraint in software development, affecting understanding and productivity.
- Intrinsic cognitive load is inherent to the task, while extraneous cognitive load is caused by how information is presented and can be reduced.
- Practical examples show how reducing extraneous cognitive load improves code readability and maintainability.
- Deep modules with simple interfaces are preferable to shallow modules with complex interactions.
- Overuse of DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) can lead to tight coupling and increased cognitive load.
- Frameworks and microservices can add unnecessary complexity and cognitive load if not used judiciously.
- Abstractions should be added based on practical needs, not just for architectural purity.
- Domain-Driven Design (DDD) is often misinterpreted, focusing more on solution space than problem space.
- Team Topologies provides a better framework for managing cognitive load across teams than DDD.
- Simplifying code and reducing cognitive load should be a deliberate effort to improve maintainability.