"Design Pressure: Understanding the Subtle Forces That Shape Your Code"

Design Pressure 16 May 2025 Have you ever had that strange feeling in the pit of your stomach that something is not quite right with your code, even though you can't pinpoint exactly what the issue is? Despite starting projects with the best intentions and meticulously following all best practices, have you found yourself struggling as your architecture gradually becomes convoluted and hard to manage? If so, you're not alone. These challenges are often symptoms of something known as "design pressure." I recently presented on this topic at PyCon US 2025 in Pittsburgh, USA. My talk, titled "Design Pressure: The Invisible Hand That Shapes Your Code," delves into the subtle forces that influence the way we structure our software. The slides from the presentation are available on SpeakerDeck for those interested in a deeper dive. The Video Presentation A note of apology to my audience: I lost my voice the night before the talk and had to rely on Fisherman’s Friends throat lozenges and sheer determination to get through it. You might notice some throat-clearing moments, but I hope you'll find the content engaging nonetheless. Additional Resources During the talk, I referenced several resources that offer additional insights into software design. While some of these materials didn’t make the final cut due to time constraints, they are highly recommended for anyone looking to explore this topic further. Articles [Title of Article 1]: A comprehensive overview of common design pitfalls and strategies to avoid them. [Title of Article 2]: An in-depth analysis of how team dynamics can impact code quality. [Title of Article 3]: Practical tips for maintaining a clean and efficient codebase over time. Videos [Title of Video 1]: A detailed walkthrough of refactoring techniques to improve code readability. [Title of Video 2]: Insights from industry leaders on best practices for scalable software design. [Title of Video 3]: Real-world case studies demonstrating the consequences of poor design decisions. Books [Title of Book 1]: A foundational guide to object-oriented programming principles. [Title of Book 2]: Advanced topics in functional programming that can help mitigate design issues. [Title of Book 3]: A collection of essays on software architecture and its long-term implications. Colophon & Credits This talk is a synthesis of my experiences and the wisdom of many experts in the field. Special thanks to the organizers of PyCon US 2025 for providing a platform to share these ideas, and to my colleagues whose feedback helped refine my presentation. Would you like me to speak at your conference or company? Feel free to reach out!