Design Concepts and Principles
Introduction
Design concepts and principles form the foundation of effective software design. They
provide guidelines and best practices to create a system that is modular, maintainable, and
scalable. By adhering to these principles, developers can ensure that the software meets
both functional and non-functional requirements while remaining adaptable to future
changes.
1. Design concepts ensure a systematic approach to software development.
2. They promote clarity, efficiency, and adaptability in the design process.
3. Design principles guide decision-making, ensuring quality and robustness.
Key Design Concepts
1. Abstraction:
• Simplifies complex systems by focusing on high-level details while hiding
low-level implementation specifics.
2. Modularity:
• Divides the system into smaller, manageable components or modules.
• Modules should have a single responsibility and minimal interdependence.
3. Encapsulation:
• Restricts direct access to some of an object’s components, ensuring that only
necessary information is exposed.
4. Separation of Concerns:
• Different aspects of a system should be addressed independently to reduce
complexity.
5. Coupling and Cohesion:
• Low Coupling: Minimize dependencies between modules.
• High Cohesion: Ensure each module is focused on a single task or function.
6. Hierarchy:
• Organizes system elements into layers or levels to reflect relationships and
dependencies.
7. Patterns:
• Reusable solutions to common design problems (e.g., Singleton, Factory, MVC).
8. Refinement:
• Iteratively elaborating on the system's details to move from an abstract to a
concrete design.
9. Data Hiding:
• Restricts access to internal data structures and promotes controlled interaction.
10. Design for Change:
• Anticipates future modifications and ensures the system can accommodate them with
minimal effort.
Key Design Principles
1. Single Responsibility Principle (SRP):
• A class or module should have one and only one reason to change.
2. Open/Closed Principle (OCP):
• Software entities should be open for extension but closed for modification.
3. Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP):
• Derived classes should be substitutable for their base classes without altering
the program’s behavior.
4. Interface Segregation Principle (ISP):
• Avoid forcing a class to implement interfaces it does not use.
5. Dependency Inversion Principle (DIP):
• High-level modules should not depend on low-level modules; both should
depend on abstractions.
6. DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself):
• Avoid duplication of code by abstracting reusable logic.
7. KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid):
• Design should be simple and avoid unnecessary complexity.
8. YAGNI (You Aren't Gonna Need It):
• Avoid implementing features that are not currently required.
9. Law of Demeter (LoD):
• A module should only communicate with its immediate collaborators to reduce
dependencies.
Advantages
1. Promotes maintainability and scalability.
2. Enhances modularity and reusability of components.
3. Reduces development time by adhering to best practices.
4. Facilitates better communication among team members through a shared design
approach.
5. Ensures that the system is adaptable to future changes and enhancements.
Disadvantages
1. Applying all principles may increase initial development complexity.
2. Overemphasis on principles might lead to over-engineering.
3. Requires expertise and experience to balance conflicting design trade-offs.
Diagram/Representation
Example of Abstraction and Modularity:
System
├── Module A
│ ├── Function 1
│ └── Function 2
└── Module B
├── Function 3
└── Function 4
Conclusion
Design concepts and principles provide a structured framework for creating high-quality
software systems. By following these guidelines, developers can build systems that are
efficient, maintainable, and future-proof. While the principles offer immense value, careful
judgment is required to adapt them to the specific context of the project for optimal
outcomes.
