In this episode, Charles and Valentino dive into the complexities of software design decisions with the esteemed guest, Uncle Bob Martin. They explore the pivotal question: How do you evaluate frameworks and dependencies in your projects? Uncle Bob shares his seasoned perspective on choosing frameworks based on an application's long-term goals and complexity, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making over defaulting to popular solutions. Together, they delve into the nuances of evaluating framework capabilities, testing with small demo applications, and considering AI's potential in refining design decisions. You'll hear gripping anecdotes from Uncle Bob's vast experience, including his work on a browser for a social network and valuable lessons from his commitment to frameworks like Swing. Valentino adds real-world insights from his encounters with framework-induced slowdowns in complex financial applications. We also touch on historical programming practices, the importance of thoughtful abstractions, and the critical role of experienced team members in guiding projects. Stay tuned for fascinating discussions on managing dependencies, simplifying core problems, and balancing framework used to ensure flexibility and maintain development speed. Plus, don't miss the exciting announcements, including Uncle Bob's upcoming books and special discount offers from Charles Max Wood. Join them as they unravel the intricacies of software design decisions and share tools and strategies for modern developers!