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In this course you will learn why SOLID principles are important and how to apply them to write maintainable, scalable, and robust code.

SOLID is an acronym for 5 software design principles that were refined over a long period of time by multiple software engineers to address the core recurring problems in software development.

Take your code quality to the next level

Read more

In this course you will learn why SOLID principles are important and how to apply them to write maintainable, scalable, and robust code.

SOLID is an acronym for 5 software design principles that were refined over a long period of time by multiple software engineers to address the core recurring problems in software development.

Take your code quality to the next level

Code quality is important to have, and improving code quality is something that all software engineers should strive for. Luckily, writing quality code is a learnable skill, but it's sometimes hard to know where to start or what to learn next.

Do you know any programming language, but don't know what to do next? Maybe you are more experienced and are looking to add more to your arsenal or refresh your knowledge? If so, then learning the SOLID principles is a very good next step for you.

It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or have a background in software, the SOLID principles will make you a better software developer and will make you stand out from the crowd.

Build a SOLID foundation for software design and architecture

The goal of this course is to help you understand the core ideas behind software design and architecture that are used by experienced software engineers and architects. All without requiring you to memorize a bunch of object-oriented programming (OOP) design patterns.

Patterns only help you in specific situations, but when you encounter a new situation, memorized patterns cannot help you if you don't understand how they work. That's why in this course we'll be focusing on ideas behind the principles, what and why they are trying to achieve, and, most importantly, how they are trying to achieve it.

After taking this course you'll level up your programming skills and will be able to deal with code design problems that are new to you.

Acquire long-lasting skills

In this course I'll present you code examples in Java programming language. However, my goal is not to teach you Java or any other technology, my goal is to teach you the thought process behind writing better code and applying the SOLID principles.

At the end of this course you'll have skills that won't go out of fashion with the next popular technology change. SOLID principles have passed the test of time and are here to stay.

Course overview

Together, in this course we will explore real-world problems that software developers run into on a daily basis instead of studying textbook examples that barely represent reality.

You'll find a mix of relevant theory, practical coding exercises that will be done on-screen, and quizzes for you to take on your own. The quizzes are designed to convey the most important things, and you'll even be able to use them as a cheat sheet later.

On top of all this, the course has as little technical jargon as possible and I try to explain things in everyday language.

The course is divided into 5 sections, one for each of the principles:

  • Single Responsibility Principle

  • Open-Closed Principle

  • Liskov Substitution Principle

  • Interface Segregation Principle

  • Dependency Inversion Principle

In each section we cover the required theory, and after that you are presented with a quiz that helps you better remember the theory before proceeding to a practical code example. After practical code examples we have a few more lectures to fill in any remaining gaps or explore things by looking at the bigger picture, we also explore when it would make sense to intentionally go against the SOLID principles for a better overall code design. The last part of each section is another quiz to further solidify your newly acquired knowledge.

By the end of this course you will be able to identify common problems in code, and you'll know how to correct them.

So, with all being said, if you're looking to improve your skills and write better code, look no further, because this course is for you.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You'll learn why, when, and how you should apply the solid principles to write higher quality code
  • In addition to knowing when to apply the solid principles, you'll also learn when and how to violate them, so you could create better overall code design
  • Understand the basic foundation of software architecture
  • Write better code without having to memorize design patterns
  • Learn how to identify poorly written code and robust quality code
  • Learn core ideas that describe code quality, like coupling and cohesion
  • Take your code quality to the next level and become a better software engineer
  • Learn why the solid principles matter and how to apply them to real-world problems
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

This quiz covers lectures 13-15.

Introduction
Why you should learn the SOLID principles
Single Responsibility Principle
Read more
Introduction to the Single Responsibility Principle
Defining software entities and code modules
What counts as a responsibility
Goals of the Single Responsibility Principle and why it matters

This quiz is about the basic ideas of the Single Responsibility Principle that we've covered in the previous 4 lectures and is intended to serve as a refreshment before we jump into the code example.

Coding exercise. Identifying responsibilities in the code example
Coding exercise. Fixing the code to follow the Single Responsibility Principle
When and how can we violate the Single Responsibility Principle
How the scale of our code affects the Single Responsibility Principle

This quiz covers lectures 5-8.

Open-Closed Principle
Introduction to the Open-Closed Principle
Two approaches to the Open-Closed Principle
What the Open-Closed Principle is NOT about
Dependency Injection

This quiz covers lectures 9-12 and is intended to serve as a refreshment before we jump into the code example in the next lecture.

Coding exercise. Identifying things in code that cannot be extended
Coding exercise. Fixing the code to be extendable
What to do if dependency injection is not available. Declarative programming
Liskov Substitution Principle
Introduction to the Liskov Substitution Principle
What the Liskov Substitution Principle applies to
Program behavior and what it means to not alter it

This quiz covers lectures 16-18 and is intended to serve as a refreshment before we jump into the code examples in the next lecture.

Code examples
When and how can we violate the Liskov Substitution Principle
How the Liskov Substitution Principle relates to abstractions

This quiz covers lectures 19-21.

Interface Segregation Principle
Introduction to the Interface Segregation Principle
Coupling. What it means to depend on code
What is a public interface
Comparing Single Responsibility and Interface Segregation Principles

This quiz covers lectures 22-25 and is meant to serve as a refreshment before we jump into the code example in the next lecture.

Code example
Why the Interface Segregation Principle is important

This quiz covers lectures 26-27.

Dependency Inversion Principle
Introduction to the Dependency Inversion Principle
What the Dependency Inversion Principle is about
What dependency inversion means

This quiz covers lectures 28-30 and is meant to serve as a refreshment before we jump into the code example in upcoming lectures.

Coding exercise. Identifying dependencies in the code example
Coding exercise. Rewriting the code to follow the Dependency Inversion Principle
Is it possible to make all of our code modules independent
What modules are best to depend on
Dangers of over-applying the Dependency Inversion Principle
How the scale of our code affects the Dependency Inversion Principle

This quiz covers lectures 31-36.

Outro
Final lecture

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Master SOLID Principles For Software Design & Architecture with these activities:
Review Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of OOP concepts, which are foundational to grasping the SOLID principles discussed in the course.
Show steps
  • Review the core concepts of OOP: encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.
  • Practice writing simple classes and objects in your preferred language.
  • Work through online tutorials or exercises on OOP principles.
Review "Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship"
Learn practical techniques for writing clean and maintainable code, which aligns with the goals of SOLID principles.
View CLEAN CODE on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters related to code structure and design.
  • Identify examples in the book that demonstrate SOLID principles in action.
  • Reflect on how the book's recommendations can be applied to your own code.
Code Katas for SOLID Principles
Practice applying SOLID principles through coding katas, reinforcing your ability to identify and address design flaws.
Show steps
  • Find or create coding katas that focus on object-oriented design.
  • Attempt each kata, focusing on applying SOLID principles to the design.
  • Review your solution and identify areas for improvement based on SOLID principles.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a SOLID Principles Cheat Sheet
Summarize the SOLID principles in a concise cheat sheet format for quick reference and improved retention.
Show steps
  • Research and gather information on each of the SOLID principles.
  • Summarize each principle in a few concise sentences.
  • Include examples of code that adheres to and violates each principle.
  • Organize the information in a visually appealing and easy-to-read format.
Refactor Existing Codebase Using SOLID Principles
Apply the SOLID principles to refactor an existing codebase, solidifying your understanding through practical application.
Show steps
  • Choose a small to medium-sized codebase that you are familiar with.
  • Identify areas in the code that violate SOLID principles.
  • Refactor the code to adhere to SOLID principles, documenting your changes.
  • Test the refactored code to ensure that it functions correctly.
Review "Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software"
Explore common design patterns to see how SOLID principles are applied in real-world software development.
View Design Patterns on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on patterns that relate to the SOLID principles.
  • Understand the problem that each pattern solves and how it relates to SOLID principles.
  • Consider how you can apply these patterns in your own code.
Contribute to an Open Source Project
Contribute to an open-source project to gain experience applying SOLID principles in a collaborative environment.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source project that aligns with your interests and skills.
  • Identify areas in the project where you can contribute, such as bug fixes or new features.
  • Apply SOLID principles when writing code for the project.
  • Submit your code for review and incorporate feedback from other developers.

Career center

Learners who complete Master SOLID Principles For Software Design & Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Master SOLID Principles For Software Design & Architecture.
Must-read for any software developer aiming to write maintainable and readable code. It provides practical advice and examples on how to apply coding principles, including those related to SOLID. It reinforces the course's emphasis on code quality and provides a deeper understanding of crafting clean, efficient code. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.
While the course focuses on SOLID principles rather than design patterns, this book provides a comprehensive overview of common design patterns. Understanding these patterns can help developers recognize situations where SOLID principles can be applied effectively. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding how to structure code in reusable and maintainable ways. is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

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