domaindriven

Domaindriven, commonly called domain-driven design (DDD), is a software development approach that centers on modeling the domain and aligning software structure with domain concepts. It emphasizes collaboration with domain experts, a ubiquitous language shared by all stakeholders, and a domain model that captures essential rules and behavior. The goal is to manage complexity by creating clear boundaries and a model that can evolve with business needs.

Key concepts include bounded contexts to isolate models, a ubiquitous language to ensure shared understanding, and a domain model composed of aggregates, entities, and value objects. Domain events and repositories support persistence and communication, while factories and domain services handle creation and domain logic. Strategic design aligns contexts with organizational boundaries, using context maps and integration patterns to manage relationships between models.

Implementation proceeds iteratively, with teams and domain experts refining the ubiquitous language and the model as understanding deepens. Benefits include closer alignment with business goals, improved maintainability, and clearer service boundaries, which can support modular architectures. Challenges include potential over-engineering, the need for experienced practitioners, and the coordination required across multiple teams and bounded contexts.

Originating from Eric Evans' 2003 book Domain-Driven Design, DDD has influenced practice in complex domains such as finance and healthcare and remains common in large-scale enterprise and microservices projects. While not a universal prescription, it offers a framework for aligning software with domain insight and business strategy.