Software development principles like SOLID, DRY, KISS, and YAGNI are essential tools, but they are not laws of nature. In real projects, blindly following every rule can sometimes add more complexity than value. This post explores practical situations where bending or even breaking these principles leads to simpler, faster, and more effective outcomes, especially when speed, learning, or constraints matter more than long-term elegance.

Everyone pushes core principles like SOLID, DRY, KISS, and YAGNI for robust code, but few highlight when to ignore them for simplicity and less complexity. Here are examples of when to bend these rules, with practical examples.

1- Prototyping & MVPs – "Just Make It Work"

  • Why? Speed trumps perfection in validating ideas or MVPs; hacky code gets you to a demo fast. Refactor later.
  • Example: A quick web app mixing UI and backend for a startup pitch.

2- One-Off Scripts – "Write and Forget"

  • Why? One-time scripts don’t need complex structures; simplicity saves effort.
  • Example: A hard-coded Python script for a single data parse.

3- Legacy Code & Hotfixes – "Survival Mode"

  • Why? Quick patches beat rewrites in emergencies.
  • Example: A hotfix in a legacy “god object” for a critical bug.

4- Data Science & Research – "Exploration Over Engineering"

  • Why? Experimentation needs speed, not reusability.
  • Example: A messy Jupyter notebook for ML model tests.

5- Small or Solo Projects – "Keep It Lean"

  • Why? Small tools or solo work don’t need complex structures.
  • Example: A single-file app for a 50-user intranet.

6- Stable or Fixed-Scope Projects – "No Changes Expected"

  • Why? Locked requirements don’t need extensibility or iteration.
  • Example: A fixed parser for an unchanging file type.

7- Trusted or Isolated Environments – "Lower Security Stakes"

  • Why? Local or trusted code can skip rigorous checks; use caution if context shifts.
  • Example: A local script skipping encryption for personal use.

8- Educational or Learning Projects – "Focus on Understanding"

  • Why? When learning, exploring concepts matters more than production-ready code.
  • Example: Writing redundant functions to practice JavaScript methods.

9- Non-Critical Internal Tools – "Functionality Over Form"

  • Why? Internal tools for small teams prioritize functionality over polish.
  • Example: A CLI tool for devs to run reports, skipping UI design.

10- Temporary Workarounds – "Band-Aid Fixes"

  • Why? Temporary solutions to unblock a project can be simpler, especially if a refactor is planned.
  • Example: Hard-coding a value to bypass a failing API call.

11- Resource-Constrained Teams – "Work With What You Have"

  • Why? Small teams or tight budgets may lack resources for extensive processes.
  • Example: A startup skipping formal processes to ship a feature.

Key Takeaways

  • Context Matters: Break rules to simplify when goals allow.
  • Short-Term Focus: Skip rules for prototypes, refine for production.
  • Risk Caution: Avoid skipping critical checks in live systems.
  • Trade-Offs: Balance tech debt vs. speed and value.

Share when you’ve simplified by breaking a rule!