====== Principle ======

===== Meaning 1 =====

==== Alternative Terms ====
/*i.e. alternative names meaning the same thing*/
  * Rule
  * Rule of Thumb
  * Law
  * Design Heuristic

==== Definition ====
A **principle** is a rule which tells whether one solution is better than another one with respect to a certain aspect.

==== Description ====
A principle names and explains a certain aspect to consider while assessing a possible solution to a problem. It can be documented using [[principle descriptions]] and help talking about solutions.

Principles are a general and universal way to communicate experience. They describe a certain aspect leaving out all the other aspects. So a principle is not a rule that is valid in every case. It's a certain tendency, a rule of thumb or a heuristic that only in combination with other principles gives a complete picture. 

==== Examples ====

  * [[principles:Keep It Simple Stupid]] (KISS)
  * [[principles:Law Of Demeter]] (LoD)
  * [[principles:Don't Repeat Yourself]] (DRY)
  * [[principles:Single Responsibility Principle]] (SRP)
  * [[principles:|...]]

==== Alternative Definitions ====
/*i.e. slightly different definitions for basically the same thing*/

==== See Also ====
  * [[Principle Description]]
  * [[Principle Catalog]]
  * [[Principle Language]]
  * [[Principle Collection]]

==== Further Reading ====


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===== Other Meanings =====
/*i.e. the same term referring to something different; put short mentions here or better add more detailed descriptions as additional sections */

  * The term "principle" is often also used to refer to any other rule, heuristic, or philosophy regardless of whether it tells good and bad solutions apart.


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===== Discussion =====

Discuss this wiki article and the term on the corresponding [[talk:glossary:Principle|talk page]].