Simplicity Ain't Easy

Abstract

A quick review of what programmers have to say about simplicity might lead you to the following (incorrect!) conclusions:

• every language/design approach/tool under the sun lays claim to simplicity, usually as a key virtue
• simplicity means many different things and is so subjective as to be worthless

In fact, simplicity is objective. It has a definition, and an etymology, that are very useful to software developers. In this talk, we will:

• cut through the noise to the definition of simplicity
• demonstrate how simplicity informs the design of Clojure, and Clojure programs
• help you make your programs simpler, and explain to others what this means, and why.

On the Web

• Video from Clojure/conj, Oct 2010