SOLID Principles

SOLID Principles
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# Table of Contents

# SOLID Principles: The Foundation of Clean Code

SOLID principles are fundamental guidelines that make software systems easier to maintain and extend. Let's explore each principle with practical Go examples.

# Single Responsibility Principle (SRP)

A class should have only one reason to change. In other words, a class should have only one job.

// Bad Example
type UserService struct {
    db *sql.DB
}

func (s *UserService) SaveUser(user User) error {
    // Handles database operations
    // Sends welcome email
    // Logs user activity
    return nil
}

// Good Example
type UserRepository struct {
    db *sql.DB
}

type EmailService struct {
    smtpClient *smtp.Client
}

type ActivityLogger struct {
    logger *log.Logger
}

func (r *UserRepository) SaveUser(user User) error {
    // Only handles database operations
    return nil
}

func (e *EmailService) SendWelcomeEmail(user User) error {
    // Only handles email sending
    return nil
}

func (l *ActivityLogger) LogUserActivity(user User, activity string) error {
    // Only handles logging
    return nil
}

# Open-Closed Principle (OCP)

Software entities should be open for extension but closed for modification.

// Bad Example
type PaymentProcessor struct{}

func (p *PaymentProcessor) ProcessPayment(paymentType string) error {
    if paymentType == "credit" {
        // Process credit payment
    } else if paymentType == "debit" {
        // Process debit payment
    }
    return nil
}

// Good Example
type PaymentMethod interface {
    Process() error
}

type CreditPayment struct{}
func (c *CreditPayment) Process() error {
    // Process credit payment
    return nil
}

type DebitPayment struct{}
func (d *DebitPayment) Process() error {
    // Process debit payment
    return nil
}

type PaymentProcessor struct {
    method PaymentMethod
}

func (p *PaymentProcessor) ProcessPayment() error {
    return p.method.Process()
}

# Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP)

Objects should be replaceable with their subtypes without affecting program correctness.

type Bird interface {
    Fly() string
}

// Bad Example - Violates LSP
type Penguin struct{}
func (p *Penguin) Fly() string {
    return "I can't fly!" // Unexpected behavior
}

// Good Example
type FlyingBird interface {
    Fly() string
}

type SwimmingBird interface {
    Swim() string
}

type Duck struct{}
func (d *Duck) Fly() string { return "Flying" }
func (d *Duck) Swim() string { return "Swimming" }

type Penguin struct{}
func (p *Penguin) Swim() string { return "Swimming" }

# Interface Segregation Principle (ISP)

Clients should not be forced to depend on interfaces they don't use.

// Bad Example
type Worker interface {
    Work()
    Eat()
    Sleep()
}

// Good Example
type Workable interface {
    Work()
}

type Eatable interface {
    Eat()
}

type Sleepable interface {
    Sleep()
}

type Human struct{}
func (h *Human) Work() { /* ... */ }
func (h *Human) Eat() { /* ... */ }
func (h *Human) Sleep() { /* ... */ }

type Robot struct{}
func (r *Robot) Work() { /* ... */ }

# Dependency Inversion Principle (DIP)

High-level modules should not depend on low-level modules. Both should depend on abstractions.

// Bad Example
type MySQL struct{}
func (m *MySQL) Query() string { return "MySQL query" }

type UserService struct {
    database MySQL // Tightly coupled
}

// Good Example
type Database interface {
    Query() string
}

type MySQL struct{}
func (m *MySQL) Query() string { return "MySQL query" }

type PostgreSQL struct{}
func (p *PostgreSQL) Query() string { return "PostgreSQL query" }

type UserService struct {
    database Database // Depends on abstraction
}

# Real-World Benefits

  1. Maintainability

    • Easier to understand and modify code
    • Reduced risk when making changes
    • Clear separation of concerns
  2. Testability

    • Simplified unit testing
    • Better mock object creation
    • Isolated component testing
  3. Scalability

    • Easier to add new features
    • Better code reuse
    • Reduced technical debt
  4. Team Collaboration

    • Clear boundaries between components
    • Better code organization
    • Improved code review process

# Common Implementation Patterns

  1. Dependency Injection
type Service struct {
    repo Repository
    logger Logger
}

func NewService(repo Repository, logger Logger) *Service {
    return &Service{
        repo: repo,
        logger: logger,
    }
}
  1. Factory Pattern
func CreatePaymentMethod(method string) PaymentMethod {
    switch method {
    case "credit":
        return &CreditPayment{}
    case "debit":
        return &DebitPayment{}
    default:
        return nil
    }
}
  1. Strategy Pattern
type ValidationStrategy interface {
    Validate(data string) bool
}

type Validator struct {
    strategy ValidationStrategy
}

func (v *Validator) SetStrategy(strategy ValidationStrategy) {
    v.strategy = strategy
}

# Conclusion

SOLID principles provide a robust foundation for creating maintainable, scalable, and testable software systems. By following these principles:

  • Your code becomes more flexible and adaptable
  • Teams can work more efficiently
  • Testing becomes more straightforward
  • Future changes are less likely to break existing functionality

Remember that SOLID principles are guidelines, not rules. Apply them thoughtfully based on your specific context and requirements.

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