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Minimizing Change Amplification in Software Development

How large pull requests slow down development 🔗

One of the fundamental challenges in software engineering is managing and minimizing complexity. This challenge is not just a theoretical concern; it has real and tangible impacts on the pace of development.

The text discusses the concept of change amplification, which refers to the increased complexity and code modifications required to implement a seemingly simple change in a software system. It highlights the negative impact of change amplification on development speed and efficiency. The text also presents data analysis on pull requests and their relationship to complexity and review time. It suggests that smaller pull requests with fewer file changes lead to faster merges and more focused reviews. The text concludes by recommending best practices for minimizing complexity, such as limiting pull requests to three or fewer file changes and adopting strategies like "stacking" and simplifying software design.

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