Cognitive load is what matters (github.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the importance of reducing cognitive load in software development, which refers to the amount of mental effort required to complete a task. It argues that excessive cognitive load can lead to confusion, mistakes, and decreased productivity. The article provides examples of how to reduce cognitive load, such as introducing intermediate variables, using early returns, and preferring composition over inheritance. It also touches on the idea that smart authors often write simpler code, but this is not always the case.

Main themes

• Cognitive Load
• Software Development
• Code Complexity
• Maintainability
• Abstraction

What commenters say

• Some argue that smart authors generally write simpler code, while others claim that this is not always the case and that complexity can be introduced by anyone, regardless of intelligence.
• The use of AI-generated code can lead to increased cognitive load due to its tendency to create complex and convoluted solutions.
• Others propose that a 'pile-of-if-statements' approach can be effective for business software, but this can lead to maintainability issues and technical debt.
• There is a trade-off between simplicity and complexity in software development, and what works for one project or team may not work for another.
• Some commenters believe that the goal of software development should be to manage and contain complexity, rather than trying to achieve perfection.
• The idea that 'smart people' always write simple code is disputed, with some arguing that intelligence is not a guarantee of simplicity and that other factors, such as experience and effort, play a larger role.
• The use of abstractions and modular design can help reduce cognitive load, but this requires careful planning and consideration of the trade-offs involved.
• Others argue that the pursuit of simplicity can sometimes lead to overly simplistic solutions that do not account for the complexities of real-world problems.