Understanding DRY in Software Development

The DRY principle is a key concept in software development that focuses on reducing duplication and ensuring that code is maintainable and easy to understand.

Exam Question

In software development, DRY refers to:
(choose the best answer)
A. Code that has been peer reviewed.
B. Code with minimal duplication.
C. Code that has not been peer reviewed.
D. Code with low cyclomatic complexity.

Correct Answer

B. Code with minimal duplication.

Explanation

Correct Answer

B. Code with minimal duplication:
DRY stands for “Don’t Repeat Yourself.” It is a principle of software development aimed at reducing the repetition of code. The idea is that every piece of knowledge or logic should be represented in a single place in the codebase. This makes the code more maintainable, as any changes or updates only need to be made in one location, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies. By adhering to the DRY principle, developers can create more efficient and easier-to-maintain code.

Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate

A. Code that has been peer reviewed:
Peer review is an important practice for ensuring code quality but is unrelated to the DRY principle. Peer review focuses on having others review code to catch issues, but it does not specifically address code duplication.

C. Code that has not been peer reviewed:
This option is incorrect because it does not relate to the DRY principle. The absence of peer review does not imply anything about code duplication or adherence to the DRY principle.

D. Code with low cyclomatic complexity:
Cyclomatic complexity measures the number of linearly independent paths through a program’s source code, which relates to the complexity and maintainability of the code. While low cyclomatic complexity is desirable, it is not directly related to the DRY principle. DRY specifically addresses the reduction of code duplication, not complexity.

Relevance to the PSD Exam

Understanding the DRY principle is important for the PSD exam, as it emphasizes the importance of creating maintainable and efficient code. Knowing when and how to apply DRY can help developers avoid common pitfalls related to code duplication.

Key Takeaways

• DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) is a principle focused on minimizing code duplication to improve maintainability and reduce errors.
• The DRY principle helps ensure that any piece of logic or knowledge in the codebase is only present in one place.
• Peer review and cyclomatic complexity are important concepts in software development but are not directly related to DRY.

Conclusion

The DRY principle is essential for maintaining clean, efficient, and maintainable code. By reducing duplication, developers can make their code easier to manage and less prone to errors. For more information on preparing for the PSD exam, visit our Professional Scrum Developer PSD™ Exam Prep.