Software Complexity Explained: Origins, Types & Drivers

Software complexity is the #1 enemy of developers - but what exactly makes software complex? Most think of cyclomatic complexity, but there's far more to it. Let’s break it all down with a structured framework!

Software complexity isn’t just about how many if statements your code has. From tangled architectures to ever-growing requirements, complexity takes many forms - and understanding them is the first step to managing them effectively.

In this video, we explore three origins of complexity - Essential, Accidental, and Incidental - each impacting software in different ways. We break down over 20 types of complexity, including Cognitive Complexity, Architecture Evolution Complexity, Domain Complexity, and Testing Complexity, explaining how they arise and what drives them.

You'll learn how technology choices, organizational decisions, and evolving requirements contribute to complexity over time. More importantly, we discuss how a structured understanding of complexity helps in communication, measurement, and ultimately, better decision-making.

00:00 Introduction
00:13 Definition
00:38 Origins & Clusters of Complexity
02:24 Code & Structural Complexity
05:24 System & Architectural Complexity
08:51 Software Lifecycle Complexity
11:01 Business & Organizational Complexity
13:24 Environmental Complexity
14:50 Why Understanding Complexity Matters

You can find the mind map here: https://github.com/plainionist/AboutC...

Mind map app used presented in this video:    • Turn Any Web App into a Desktop App – Easi...  

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