Generic or Specific - Making Sensible Software Design Decisions

Explore the nuances of software design and architecture in this conference talk that delves into the crucial decision-making process between generic and specific solutions. Learn about the factors influencing these choices, including future considerations, and gain practical insights to guide your own decision-making. Examine topics such as code sharing between teams, inner source culture, monorepos, microservices, lifecycle management of generic components, and strategic design. Discover the pros and cons of generic versus specific approaches at both project and organizational levels, and understand the impact on flexibility, adaptability, and overall software development efficiency.

Intro
Outline
What is software design?
Design vs architecture
Definitions
Flexibility in software
Levels of generic vs specific
Tools to help decide
The cost of a generic solution
When & why to go generic
Examples why specific often is faster
Bonus: Sharing code in an organization
Summary
Outro