STORY
Software Design Rant on Numbered Variables
Software Design Rant on Numbered Variables
- A technical design guideline and warning about numbered fields in schemas.
Schema Design
- In June 2021, I shared a key principle regarding database and software architecture.
- Any time you see an SQL column, JSON key, or code variable ending in a sequential number (e.g.,
field1,field2), you are likely looking at a design flaw. - This pattern typically signals that the schema designer failed to normalize the database or create proper collections, inevitably leading to painful rewrites or technical debt.
These facts are as Randal recalls them, but much time has passed for most of this. If you find a factual error, please email realmerlyn@gmail.com.