Guiding Software Engineering 3.0 with Dao De Jing: Minimal Core to Tackle Demand Bloat and Architecture Redundancy

Minimal Core to Address Demand Bloat and Architecture Redundancy

Software Engineering 3.0 faces AI‑driven demand explosion and architecture redundancy. The proposed remedy is “少则得” – keep a single immutable core (the system’s essential value and function) and eliminate all non‑essential requirements, components, and technologies.

Implementation Principles

Embrace the core (“抱一守核”) : All decisions must align with the identified core value and function.

Delete redundancy (“删繁就简”) : Remove requirements, modules, and technologies that do not serve the core.

Extreme simplicity and efficiency (“极简高效”) : Limit processes, AI usage, and architecture to the core scenarios only.

Execution Logic

Find the core : Define the “one” – e.g., for an industrial IoT platform the core value is “improve production efficiency and safety” and the core functions are “device monitoring” and “data alerting”.

Delete redundancy : Use a large‑model AI to generate a requirement list and an architecture sketch, then retain only items that match the core (example: AI produces 10 requirements, keep 3 that align with the core).

Maintain minimalism : Keep only essential workflow steps (requirement confirmation, core development, test verification, deployment) and apply AI solely to core scenarios; architecture follows a “core‑fixed, peripheral‑flexible” pattern.

Concrete Example

In a large‑model‑assisted industrial equipment‑monitoring project the core is “real‑time safety alerts”. After AI generates a requirement list, redundant items such as “historical data statistics” and “manual parameter adjustment” are removed, leaving only “real‑time monitoring”, “anomaly alert”, and “fault hint”. The resulting architecture contains three modules: data collection, AI‑driven alert, and message push. The system becomes lightweight, high‑performance, and easier to evolve.

Dao‑Fa‑Shu‑Qi Four‑Layer Architecture

Dao – Underlying Core Value

The immutable core (“道”) is the fundamental purpose, e.g., “serve people and follow natural evolution”. All modules, technologies, and AI must be consistent with this invariant.

Fa – Implementation Rules

Natural‑Law Rule: Architecture must accommodate AI, business, and system evolution.

Non‑Intervention Rule: Define clear human‑AI boundaries and keep designs simple.

Less‑Is‑More Rule: Center on core modules and discard excess.

Integrity Rule: Ensure safety and compliance, especially for AI black‑box risks.

Shu – Core Methods

Evolutionary Architecture: Fixed core modules with plug‑in peripheral micro‑services.

Human‑AI Collaboration: Separate human‑lead (core decisions, safety checks) and AI‑lead (data processing, code generation) modules with explicit interaction mechanisms.

Extreme‑Core Architecture: Strengthen core modules; peripheral modules are optional.

Explainable Architecture: Add AI traceability and verification components.

Qi – Tool Carriers

AI Enablement: Large‑model platforms (ChatGPT, Spark) and frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).

Architecture Tools: Microservice frameworks (Spring Cloud, Dubbo) and plugin systems.

Collaboration Platforms: ALM and DevOps tools.

Security Validators: AI bias detectors, code security auditors, vulnerability scanners.

Core Business Modules: Domain‑specific components such as battery‑safety monitoring for BMS.

Collaborative Logic

The layers interact as “Dao drives Fa, Fa drives Shu, Shu drives Qi”. Adjustments at the tool level must respect the method rules, which in turn must honor the implementation principles and the underlying core value.

Key Elevation Points

Cognitive : Shift from “technology‑first” to “core‑value‑driven” thinking.

Practical : Move from static control to dynamic adaptation, from human‑AI conflict to collaboration, and from over‑engineering to a minimal core.

Architectural : Replace monolithic stacks with the integrated “Dao‑Fa‑Shu‑Qi” architecture that balances stability and flexibility.