What is separation of concerns in software design?

What is separation of concerns in software design?

Separation of concerns is a design principle that advocates for dividing a program into distinct sections, each addressing a separate concern or functionality. This helps in managing complexity and enhancing maintainability.

Can you give me an example of how this works in practice?

Sure! For instance, in a web application, you might separate the user interface (UI), business logic, and data access layers. This way, changes in the UI won't affect the business logic or data handling.

What are the benefits of using this principle?

The main benefits include improved code organization, easier debugging, enhanced collaboration among developers, and better scalability of the application.

Are there any common pitfalls to avoid?

Yes, common pitfalls include over-separating concerns, which can lead to unnecessary complexity, and not properly defining the boundaries between concerns, which can cause confusion.