KISS Principle

The KISS principle is a maxim often invoked when discussing design to fend off creeping featurism and control complexity of development. The usual explanation for this acronym is "Keep it Simple, Stupid", another is "Keep it Simple and Stupid" (often in artificial intelligence).

Possibly related to the marketroid[?] maxim on sales presentations, "Keep It Short and Simple".

The idea of keeping something simple (rather like this article) can be applied to life-keep your life simple and don't try to complicate by going in needless directions. However a lot of life could be missed out by following this advice.

When explaining your actions, or telling a story or joke however it is good advice.

See also Occam's Razor.

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This article (or an earlier version of it) contains material from FOLDOC, used with permission.