In my consulting journey and in my experience, I’ve noticed two common pitfalls a lot when I was auditing their application architecture and code:

1⃣ Applying the same kind of solution to every problem.

2⃣ Falling into the trap of over-engineering.

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Reflecting on my own experiences, I’ve observed this trend not just in my journey but also among many talented juniors, and occasionally, even in myself.

Often, when immersed in a specific industry or technology, the tendency is to tackle every problem with the familiar tools at hand. While not inherently wrong, this can become a limiting routine. This pattern is particularly noticeable among junior developers and seasoned tech veterans who’ve been immersed in a single language or technology for an extended period.

Abraham Maslow’s quote resonates strongly here: “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”

When you face a problem you never dealt with in the past, instead of rushing into a solution, take a moment to explore. A quick Google search can unveil a myriad of approaches to the same problem – a truly eye-opening experience!

However, a word of caution: some individuals, in their pursuit of diverse solutions, fall into the trap of over-engineering. This leads into problems like creating microservices for every problem or Polyglot programming. While it may seem appealing initially, it often leads to complications in the long run.

My advice? Find the sweet spot – don’t hastily jump into a solution, yet resist the temptation to overcomplicate. Striking this balance is key for sustainable and effective problem-solving.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section

The post Striking the Right Balance Between Uniform Solutions and Over-Engineering first appeared on A Software Engineer's Journal.