Domain-driven design is a method in which the structure and language must correspond to the software’s business area. The principle is based on object-oriented analysis and design technology. Let’s take a look at several interesting questions on domain-driven design.
What are the goals and objectives?
DDD is designed to meet three main objectives:
- the concentration of attention of all systems on the core of the domain and the rationale for the subject area;
- the formation of complex projects based on the same type of model related to a specific field of activity;
- close interaction between experts of a technical profile and employees of the subject area to form a given model that solves a certain range of problems.
What are the essential features of domain-driven design?
An application scenario based on domain-specific design is designed to solve all sorts of complex business problems by:
- drawing up a layered architecture and a clear gradation of responsibilities;
- formation of a core, in which each domain object is one of the interconnected business objects and can be reused;
- the principle of operation is adapted to solving a whole range of complex tasks in business logistics software systems;
- lack of simple options in the form of adding, deleting, and changing objects.
What are the concepts of the model?
Concepts include:
- Context. The environment in which words or statements are formed determines the meaning of the context.
- Domain. The area of expertise with which the program should be developed.
- Model. A collection of abstract images that describe certain aspects of a domain and solve problems associated with it.
- Language. A means of communication between the user and the software used by all members of the group.
What are the main design strategies?
The developers strive to create a single unified model for different tasks. However, all this is still in the plans. Usually, this structure splits into several mini structures, which we cannot yet avoid. Strategic design is the set of principles that maintain the integrity of the entire structure. Among them:
- Limiting context. The context in which the model is being developed needs to be clearly defined. It is necessary to place the points of boundaries surrounding the group’s space without getting confused at the same time in external and internal problems.
- Integration. The more people work with the model, the stronger the fragmentation, so when this situation arises, you should often implement merging all the code and other artifacts, use the language, and develop a common view of the model.
- Context map. The personal, highly specialized context makes the global view problematic. People interacting in the model will unconsciously make changes, removing boundaries and complicating relationships. Thus, we should define the strictly limited context of the model being developed.
What are the famous domain-driven design tools?
In practice, DDD does not depend on the use of other software tools. Nevertheless, the most common ones include:
- An Eclipse-adaptable Actifsource module that allows software development by combining it with DDD design by generating code.
- Semantic framework CubicWeb that refines data models to get a perfectly functioning web application. For adaptation, additional configuration is required; the default system preset is insufficient.
- Open source OpenMDX, created on the Java platform, differs in that it uses models for an operation that control the behavior of option systems when performing tasks.
- OpenXava is an excellent choice for developing AJAX applications.
- Restful Objects is a Restful API standard for a domain object. There is the ability to act as an entity, view model, etc.
Why isn’t DDD used for all projects without exception?
DDD shows excellent results if the business processes are not particularly complex but already reasonably well-established. When the system needs to be constantly improved and changed, domain-oriented design is unlikely to be helpful.
When intending to use DDD, the customer and the developer must be ready for a complex process in which third-party participants, experts in the subject area, share their knowledge and participate.
Conclusion
Summing up, it’s worth saying that domain-driven design is not a universal but rather an effective approach to developing complex projects. With a carefully thought-out strategy, the efforts made will undoubtedly pay off and give significant benefits to the business, including creating an adaptive business architecture that takes into account all its features.