Software Architect's Handbook

Applying KISS to software

Simplicity is a highly desirable quality in software systems, and this includes their designs as well as their implementations. Making software more complicated than it needs to be lowers its overall quality. Greater complexity reduces maintainability, hinders reusability, and may lead to an increase in the number of defects.

Some ways to follow the KISS principle in software include:

• Eliminating duplication as much as possible (see the DRY – "Don't Repeat Yourself" section)
• Eliminating unnecessary features (see the YAGNI – "You Aren't Gonna Need It" section)
• Hiding complexity and design decisions (see the Information hiding section)
• Following known standards when possible and minimizing deviations and surprises ...