Higher Education · Software Engineering
Software Design
What is it
Software design covers the principles and patterns used to structure a codebase before and during implementation — including concepts like modularity, abstraction, coupling and cohesion, design patterns, and architectural styles that keep large systems maintainable.
Why it matters
Poor software design doesn't show up immediately — it shows up months later when a simple change requires touching dozens of files, which is why the ability to design cleanly is what separates code that survives a project's lifetime from code that becomes unmaintainable technical debt.
Exam tip
When evaluating a design, ask whether a likely future change would require modifying one place or many scattered places — this single question captures the essence of coupling and cohesion far more usefully than reciting textbook definitions.
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