Simplicity Wins: The Essence of Great Software Design

2025-03-07

This article argues that great software design isn't about complex language features or architectures, but about eliminating potential failure modes. The author uses personal anecdotes to illustrate how removing redundant components, centralizing state management, and using robust systems minimizes risk and increases reliability. The core message is that good design is simple and reliable, avoiding flashy features and focusing on solving problems. The author cites the Unicorn web server as a prime example of this approach.

Development Failure Modes