A cloud-based program is a piece of software that is available to customers on demand. This type of software is a part of the devops movement and provides short cycles of several weeks, meaning that new features are available to customers immediately. It is also important to note that many companies will optimize the bill of materials to reduce the number of parts used in a system. While this is certainly a nice feat, it can also be a daunting task.
The concept of an individually configurable program is not new. In fact, some of the oldest programs in existence have been designed to allow users to customize a system to meet their specific needs. However, the term “configurable” is still a bit of a buzzword and is often misinterpreted. Although the term is not a precise metric, it is a useful measure of how a program’s capabilities are realized.
A configurable program can be either a traditional configuration that uses a tool within the application or a more complex approach that enables end users to configure the system themselves. For instance, the Scania Truck Configurator is a publicly available example of a functional configurator. Another popular option is load-time binding, which loads options when the program starts. By implementing this type of binding, the complexity of the system is reduced while the chance of inconsistent states is minimized.
Other common mechanisms include the use of feature flags. This type of flag is usually a known value, which is easier to track than a randomly generated one. This type of flag can be removed or re-introduced in a later release. Removing or adding feature flags can have a variety of effects, from improving developer productivity to creating technical debt. When the configuration is performed at the time of compile, it may be difficult to determine whether the effect is a positive or negative one.
A less common method is a sequential release, wherein an earlier version of the program is updated to incorporate new features. Feature releases are often initiated by the customer. They can be a good way to update a system that is already deployed. This is because it allows the standard solution to evolve over time, thereby allowing for a more cost effective upgrade. Several papers have discussed different implementation mechanisms, but it is hard to know how well these work.
A software product with a well-designed, fully-featured configuration tool is a worthy contender for the title of “most flexible.” Using the right tool can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the language or the programming toolset. Nevertheless, a specialized configuration tool can be a valuable resource for ensuring that your product is fit for the future. Moreover, a specialized configuration tool can be deployed by a smaller team and can be procured more affordably.
One of the most exciting aspects of an individually configurable software program is the ability to generate new features at the same time the old ones are retired. Using this feature can be a boon for developers because it can help them get a handle on a program’s most interesting behaviors.
