state-first-design

To enforce state-first design, you explicitly define state, properties, and invariants before implementation using provided templates. This separates state from operations and establishes pre and post conditions to guide safer, predictable code.

State-first design is an approach that forces explicit definitions of state, properties, and invariants before implementation. By shifting focus from operation-centric logic to formalized state contracts, it prevents brittle solutions and ensures predictable software behavior.

Using preconditions and postconditions in code reviews involves checking that state and invariant definitions are explicitly established before operations. You apply state-first design templates to verify contract-like safety and predictable behavior across modified features.

Yes, state-first design works for refactoring existing operation-centric implementations. It provides templates and guidelines to separate state from operations, allowing you to retrofit explicit invariants and pre or post conditions into modified code for safer behavior.

You should avoid design by contract principles when your project lacks the overhead for explicit state and invariant definitions. State-first design requires formalizing immutable properties before coding, which may not suit rapid prototypes or operation-centric tasks needing immediate, unstructured implementation.