Duplication

Duplication in software development refers to the presence of identical or similar code, data, or logic in multiple places within a codebase. It is a common anti-pattern that can lead to maintenance issues, bugs, and increased complexity. The concept is central to principles like DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself), which advocates for reducing duplication to improve code quality.

Also known as: Code duplication, DRY violation, Redundant code, Copy-paste programming, Repeated logic

Why learn Duplication?

Developers should learn about duplication to avoid its negative impacts, such as making changes harder (since updates must be repeated) and increasing the risk of inconsistencies. It is crucial in refactoring, code reviews, and when applying design patterns to create more maintainable and scalable software, especially in large or long-term projects.

Learning Resources

• book: The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery
• book: Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code
• tutorial: DRY Principle Explained
• docs: Code Smells: Duplicated Code
• video: Avoiding Duplication in Software Development