Design Principles
The Qubots framework is built on a foundation of carefully considered design principles that ensure modularity, extensibility, consistency, and performance. These principles guide every aspect of the framework’s architecture and implementation.
Core Design Philosophy
Modularity
The framework is designed with clear separation of concerns, ensuring that each component has a well-defined responsibility and can be developed, tested, and maintained independently.
Component Separation
- Base classes define interfaces and contracts
- Specialized classes add domain-specific functionality
- Auto-loading handles repository management
- Platform integration connects to external services
Benefits of Modularity
- Independent Development: Teams can work on different components simultaneously
- Easier Testing: Each module can be tested in isolation
- Reduced Complexity: Smaller, focused components are easier to understand
- Flexible Deployment: Use only the components you need
Extensibility
New components can be easily added to the framework without modifying existing code, following the open-closed principle.
Extension Points
- Inherit from base classes for new problem types
- Implement optimizer interfaces for new algorithms
- Use the repository system for distribution
- Integrate with platform features for enhanced functionality
Consistency
All components follow consistent patterns to ensure a uniform developer experience across the entire framework.
Standardized Patterns
- Metadata structures: Common format for problem and optimizer information
- Parameter handling: Consistent configuration and parameter management
- Result formats: Unified structure for optimization results
Consistency Benefits
- Reduced Learning Curve: Once you learn one component, others follow similar patterns
- Predictable Behavior: Consistent interfaces make the framework more intuitive
- Easier Integration: Components work together seamlessly
- Better Documentation: Consistent patterns enable better documentation templates
Architectural Principles
Interface-Driven Design
The framework uses well-defined interfaces to ensure loose coupling between components.
Repository-Centric Architecture
Components are distributed and managed through Git repositories, enabling:
- Version Control: Full history and branching support
- Collaboration: Easy sharing and contribution workflows
- Distribution: Decentralized component distribution
- Dependency Management: Clear dependency tracking
Best Practices
Optimization Tool Development
When developing new optimization tools:
- Follow interface contracts defined by base classes
- Provide comprehensive metadata for discoverability
- Include proper error handling with meaningful messages
- Write thorough documentation and examples
- Add appropriate tests for reliability
Repository Management
For repository-based components:
- Use semantic versioning for releases
- Provide clear README with usage instructions
- Include configuration files with proper metadata
- Tag releases for stable versions
- Maintain compatibility with framework versions