Go Time: Golang, Software Engineering

Principles of simplicity

Nov 8, 2023

Return guest sam boyer joins Ian & Kris to discuss the complexities of simplicity in software development, exploring the difference between simplicity and ease, the importance of understanding the problem and users, and the challenges of reducing complex problems to simplistic solutions.

01:27:44

Creator website

Episode guests

sam boyer

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Highlights

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Write comments to document and evaluate design choices against requirements.

Prioritize simplicity at system edges and make conscious decisions about where to simplify.

LLMs will revolutionize software development with their accuracy and efficiency.

Deep dives

Document your code

Write comments to document what you're doing and ensure that what you think you're building is actually what you're building.

Simplicity is an Infinite Pursuit

03:12

Simplicity Springs from Understanding

03:27

Simplicity Over Simplicity: Understand True User Needs

01:11

Introduction

2min

Simple vs Easy

7min

The Importance of Simplicity in Software Development

13min

Discomfort with Unused Dependencies and Finding Simplicity in Code Structure

3min

Factors and Measurement of Simplicity

10min

The Importance of Understanding the Problem and Users

23min

Simplicity vs. Simplistic Solutions

20min

Simplicity in Programming and Pre-release Video Games

7min

Formation of Internet Communities and Collective Delusions

2min

Rob Pike says, “Simplicity is the art of hiding complexity.” If that’s true, what is simplicity in the context of writing software in Go? Is it even something we should strive for? Can software be too simple? Ian & Kris discuss with return guest sam boyer.

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Featuring:

sam boyer – GitHub, X
Ian Lopshire – GitHub, X
Kris Brandow – GitHub, X

Show Notes:

Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!

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Go Time: Golang, Software Engineering

Principles of simplicity

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Document your code

Understand requirements and iterate in a feedback loop

Choose where to put simplicity

Pre-release video games are not a problem

The rise of LLMs in software development

Simplicity is an Infinite Pursuit

Simplicity Springs from Understanding

Simplicity Over Simplicity: Understand True User Needs

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts