You Aren’t Gonna Need It (YAGNI)

YAGNI is a principle in software development that advises against adding functionality or features unless they are immediately necessary. It originates from Extreme Programming (XP) methodologies and aims to prevent wasted effort and maintain simplicity.

Key highlights of the YAGNI principle:

• Avoid Premature Features: Only implement what is currently required, as future requirements may change or never arise.
• Focus on Necessity: Stay grounded on delivering value without over complicating the system.
• Reduce Complexity: Extra, unused functionality can make the system harder to understand, test, and maintain.
• Conserve Resources: By focusing on immediate needs, developers save time, effort, and cost.

YAGNI works hand in hand with other principles like KISS and DRY to encourage efficient, clean, and maintainable designs. While it’s an excellent guideline, some degree of forward-thinking may be needed in specific cases—it's about finding the right balance.