What’s the difference between principles YAGNI and KISS?

Technology CommunityCategory: Software ArchitectureWhat’s the difference between principles YAGNI and KISS?
VietMX Staff asked 3 years ago
  • YAGNI (You aint gona need it) refers to over analyzing and implementing things that may or may not be needed. Sure algorithmic elegance is nice and all but most situation you dont need it. In general engineering terms you should be carefull not to include your own requirements so that you dont taint your customer needs with your own ideas that end up costing the project with little impact for the client.
  • KISS (Keep it simple stupid) refers to the fact that easy systems are easier to manage. Keeping things simple is not nesseserily less work (like YAGNI is) since it requires more knowlege to implement. They are sometimes similar but grow from different needs.

YAGNI grows from a too much future anticipation, overzealous workers if you may. KISS is a strategy that tries to counteract human tendency for design creep.