Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS): Why Simplicity in Code is a Sign of Great Engineering As software engineers, we often face a dilemma: should we showcase our skills by writing intricate, highly optimized, and sometimes cryptic code, or should we prioritize clarity, simplicity, and ease of understanding? Too often, developers lean toward the former, believing that writing complex code demonstrates sophistication and intelligence. However, true craftsmanship in software development lies in simplicity, maintainability, and empathy for the next person who will read your code, which might be you six months from now. The Essence of KISS The KISS principle, originally coined by the U.S. Navy in 1960, stands for "Keep It Simple, Stupid." It advocates for simplicity as a core design principle, warning against unnecessary complexity. In software development, this translates to writing code that is straightforward, easy to read, and easy to modify. Code si...