GAZAR

Principal Engineer | Mentor

"Change is Local": Strategies for Flexible and Adaptable Programming

"Change is Local": Strategies for Flexible and Adaptable Programming

"Change is Local" is a mindset that emphasizes designing software in such a way that changes are confined to localized areas of the codebase. Instead of rippling through the entire system, changes are contained within specific modules, classes, or functions, minimizing the impact on other parts of the code.

Benefits of Embracing "Change is Local":

  • Reduced Risk: Localized changes reduce the risk of unintended consequences and regressions in other parts of the system.
  • Faster Iteration: With changes confined to localized areas, developers can iterate more quickly and confidently, leading to faster delivery of features and bug fixes.
  • Improved Maintainability: Code that follows the "Change is Local" principle is easier to maintain and refactor, as changes are isolated and well-contained.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Teams can work more effectively together, with each member able to make changes to their respective areas without stepping on each other's toes.
  • Increased Testability: Localized changes make it easier to write targeted tests that verify specific behavior, leading to more robust test suites and better overall test coverage.

"Change is Local" is a powerful principle that can help developers write code that is more flexible, adaptable, and maintainable. By following strategies such as modular design, SRP, dependency injection, and continuous refactoring, developers can embrace change as a natural part of the software development process. By adopting the "Change is Local" mindset, teams can build software that is more resilient to change and better positioned to meet evolving requirements and challenges.