SOLID Principles Explained Simply
The SOLID principles are five guidelines that help developers write software that’s easy to maintain, flexible, and easy to change.
1. S — Single-Responsibility Principle (SRP)
Each module or class should have one reason to change.
In simple terms: do one job, and do it well.
Bad:
class Report {
generate() {/* ... */}
saveToDatabase() {/* ... */} // ❌ different responsibility
}
Good:
class ReportGenerator { generate() {/* ... */} }
class ReportSaver { saveToDatabase() {/* ... */} }
2. O — Open-Closed Principle (OCP)
Software entities should be open for extension but closed for modification.
You should be able to add new behavior without touching existing, stable code.
Example:
Instead of editing a payment processor class every time you add a new method, create a new class implementing the same interface.
3. L — Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP)
Subclasses should behave like their parent classes.
Replacing a parent object with a child should not break your program.
4. I — Interface Segregation Principle (ISP)
Clients should not depend on methods they don’t use.
Create many small, specific interfaces instead of a single “god” interface.
5. D — Dependency Inversion Principle (DIP)
High-level modules should depend on abstractions, not on low-level details.
Abstractions shouldn’t depend on details—details should depend on abstractions.
✨ Why SOLID Matters
- ✅ Easier to maintain – changes in one place have fewer ripple effects.
- 🧪 More testable – smaller, focused units are easier to test.
- 🔁 Reusable & scalable – modular code can grow without chaos.
📌 Quick Reference
Principle | Meaning (Simplified) |
---|---|
SRP | One job per module/class |
OCP | Extend without modifying |
LSP | Subclasses act like parents |
ISP | Use only what you need |
DIP | Depend on abstractions |
That’s SOLID—five simple habits that make your code cleaner, safer, and easier to grow.