Simplicity

Simplicity is the opposite of complexity and means something is simple, uniform, uncompounded or un-combined. Things of high simplicity are often easy to understand and to explain. Simplicity is one of the highest goals in architecture and engineering, esp. in software engineering.

Simple rules and complex behavior

Scientists love it when they discover that

• Order emerges from chaos
• Simple equations produce strange attractors
• Simple rules generate complex behavior

Why do they love it? Because it is rare. And because it is the difference in complexity between the rule and the phenomena which makes scientific theories big: simple rules with complex behavior are what every scientist is looking for. Unfortunately useful rules of this kind are very rare.

Simple programs can generate all sorts of complex behavior. Well, yes, they can, but only against heavy odds. Most programs don't generate complex or rich behavior, at least not the desired one. Otherwise programmers would produce masterworks all the time, a gem at every keystroke. Simple programs that produce complex outcome are the exception, and often the result of hard work or long search.

More important than the insight that simple programs can generate all sorts of complex behavior is the insight that they are the exception.

For one equation that produces a complex strange attractor there are a thousand equations which produce only simple behavior. For one Cellular Automata rule that shows complex behavior there are hundred rules which show simple, boring behavior. There is only one "Game of Life".

For one right program that works there are a thousand programs that don't work. There are a thousand ways to change a program which will lead to erratic behavior, but only one way to do it right. A programmer is constantly busy with finding this way and keeping the program on the right track (i.e. with debugging or eliminating bugs).