Deciding Whether to Include Libraries in Your Codebase: Here's My Decision-Making Process

When I'm considering bringing a new library into our codebase, I take a few factors into account to make sure it's the right move.

First off, I ask myself if I can achieve what I need with the features already available in our programming language. If it's feasible to do so with minimal custom code, I lean towards avoiding additional complexity by not introducing a new library. Think of it like sticking to your tried-and-true recipes instead of buying a new kitchen gadget for every task.

If I feel that a library is indeed necessary, I dive into a more detailed evaluation among the options available:

Quality and Stability

I look into the library's track record to assess its quality and stability. Is it actively maintained? How often are updates released?

I also consider the responsiveness of the maintainers to bug reports and feature requests. Comprehensive documentation and a robust test suite are strong indicators of a well-maintained library.

Community Support

A community is invaluable when it comes to troubleshooting issues and sharing knowledge. I check if there's an active community around the library, as it can greatly enhance the development experience and help to overcome challenges more easily.

Dependencies

Introducing a new library may introduce additional dependencies, which could potentially complicate the project. I examine the dependencies of the library itself and evaluate whether they align with the project's existing dependencies.

Minimizing conflicts with existing dependencies is key to maintaining a smooth development process.

License Compatibility

Ensuring that the library's license is compatible with project's licensing requirements is essential from a legal and compliance standpoint.

I make sure that the library's license allows me to use it within my project without any conflicts or legal issues.

By carefully considering these factors, I try to make informed decisions that balance the benefits of using a new library with the potential complexities and risks it may introduce into the codebase.