Principles of Web Development
Seven principles for professional web development, emphasising quality, simplicity, and long-term thinking over quick fixes.
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Focus on the User
End users are our users too. Accessibility, performance, and functioning links all connect developers directly to the people using what we build.
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Focus on Quality
This distinguishes professionals from hobbyists. Cultivate a mindset of quality and regularly ask how to tell if work is good and how to make it better.
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Keep It Simple
Simplicity comes from knowing what matters and what doesn’t. Not keeping things simple implies everything matters—which is rarely true.
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Think Long-Term (and Beware of Fads)
Write code to last. Avoid fire-and-forget approaches and reject changes with a high chance of becoming obsolete quickly.
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Don't Repeat Yourself (aka One Cannot Not Maintain)
Avoiding repetition significantly reduces maintenance burden. If something exists, find a way not to duplicate it.
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Code Responsibly
Web development means responsibility—to colleagues, stakeholders, and users. Start with a commitment to quality and professionalism.
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Know Your Field
Stay current with standards, tools, and best practices. Expertise requires continuous learning in a constantly evolving field.