YAGNI

YAGNI (You Aren't Gonna Need It) is a principle in software development that advises against adding functionality until it is actually necessary. It emphasizes building only what is required for the current iteration or user story, avoiding speculative or premature development. This helps reduce complexity, save time, and minimize waste in the development process.

Also known as: You Aren't Gonna Need It, YAGNI principle, YAGNI rule, You Ain't Gonna Need It, Y.A.G.N.I.

Why learn YAGNI?

Developers should apply YAGNI to avoid over-engineering and maintain focus on delivering immediate value, particularly in agile or iterative environments like Scrum or Kanban. It is crucial for preventing technical debt, simplifying codebases, and improving maintainability, as seen in practices like test-driven development (TDD) and lean software development.

Learning Resources

• docs: YAGNI - Martin Fowler
• tutorial: YAGNI Principle Explained - freeCodeCamp
• course: YAGNI: You Aren't Gonna Need It - Pluralsight Course
• video: YAGNI - Extreme Programming Explained