YAGNI
YAGNI (You Aren't Gonna Need It) is a principle in software development that advises developers to avoid adding functionality until it is actually necessary. It is a core tenet of Extreme Programming (XP) and agile methodologies, emphasizing simplicity and reducing waste by not implementing features based on speculative future requirements. This helps keep codebases lean, maintainable, and focused on current user needs.
Developers should apply YAGNI to prevent over-engineering, reduce technical debt, and accelerate delivery by only building what is required now. It is particularly useful in agile environments where requirements evolve frequently, such as in startups or iterative product development, as it minimizes wasted effort on unused features. This principle also supports refactoring and continuous improvement by allowing teams to adapt code as real needs emerge.