The Pragmatic Programmer Framework

A systems-level approach to software craftsmanship from Hunt & Thomas' "The Pragmatic Programmer" (20th Anniversary Edition). Apply these meta-principles when designing systems, reviewing architecture, writing code, or advising on engineering culture -- how to think about software, not just how to write it.

Core Principle

Care about your craft. Software development demands continuous learning, disciplined practice, and personal responsibility -- pragmatic programmers think beyond the immediate problem to context, trade-offs, and long-term consequences. Great software comes from great habits: avoid duplication ruthlessly, keep components orthogonal, and treat every line of code as a living asset that must earn its place. The goal is not perfection -- it is systems that are easy to change, easy to understand, and easy to trust.

Scoring

Goal: 10/10. Rate software designs, architecture, or code 0-10 based on adherence to the principles below; a 10/10 means full alignment, lower scores indicate gaps to address. Always state the current score and the specific improvements needed to reach 10/10.

The Pragmatic Programmer Framework

Seven meta-principles for building software that lasts:

1. DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself)

Core concept: Every piece of knowledge must have a single, unambiguous, authoritative representation within a system. DRY is about knowledge, not code -- duplicated logic, business rules, or configuration are far more dangerous than duplicated syntax.