Software Engineering basics - Principles of Software Engineering
Principles of Software Engineering
Software engineering is not just about writing code — it’s about building reliable, efficient, and maintainable software in a smart and organized way. These principles help software engineers create high-quality software.
1. Modularity
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Break big problems into smaller parts (modules).
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Each part does a specific job.
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Makes the code easier to understand, test, and maintain.
Example: In a school app, you might have separate modules for attendance, homework, and results.
2. Abstraction
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Focus only on what’s important and hide unnecessary details.
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Helps simplify complex systems.
Example: When you use a car, you just drive — you don’t worry about how the engine works.
3. Encapsulation
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Keep data hidden and protected inside a module or object.
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Only allow access through well-defined methods.
Example: A “student” object hides personal details and allows updates only through specific functions.
4. Separation of Concerns
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Divide a program into sections where each section handles one job.
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Makes code more organized and easier to manage.
Example: Design and logic are handled separately — like using HTML for layout and JavaScript for behavior.
5. DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself)
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Avoid repeating the same code.
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Write reusable functions or components.
Example: If two pages use the same login system, write the login function once and use it everywhere.
6. KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
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Keep your code simple and easy to understand.
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Avoid making things more complex than needed.
Example: Use clear names and write short, clean functions.
7. YAGNI (You Aren’t Gonna Need It)
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Don’t build something unless you actually need it.
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Avoid adding features “just in case.”
Example: Don’t write code for voice control in a school app if no one asked for it.
8. Code for Change
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Write code that’s easy to update in the future.
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Software always changes, so make it flexible and maintainable.
Example: Use settings files or databases instead of hardcoding important info.
9. Testing and Debugging
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Always test your software to find and fix problems.
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Good software works well under different conditions.
Example: Check if your app works when internet is slow or unavailable.
10. Maintainability
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Make your code easy to read, fix, and improve.
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Use comments, proper structure, and consistent style.
Example: Other developers should understand your code even without asking you.