Combining clojure.spec with design recipes

We share a method to systematically and comprehensively evolve a domain model, complementing use cases and “design recipes” with (clojure.spec-based) specifications. This approach facilitates finding inaccuracies at the edges of our in-growth domain, allowing us to: 1) supersede the de facto “tinker until it works” standard with a systematic “define-specify-verify (repeat)” cycle; and 2) complement the traditional mitigation of both internal and parameter validation errors.

Our approach combines the use of “design recipes”, use cases and “à la xDD” examples with (clojure.spec-based) specifications. The use of “design recipes” allows us to be systematic, while the usage of example-based use cases provide a comprehensive understanding of the domain. And when adding specifications to the mix, we end up empowered to verify compliance both at compile-time and at run-time.

This combination allows us to:

• move from a “tinker until it works” process to a “define-specify-verify (repeat)” cycle,
• find mistakes at the domain’s edge,
• count with specification-based generative tests, and
• automatic, specification-based documentation for the domain model

This approach is based on combining the main ideas of two books: How to Design Programs (Felleisen et. al.) , and Domain Modeling made Functional (Wlaschin).

Material

Instructions for running the tutorial code is here:

https://github.com/diegosanchez/bob-2021--combining-clojure-spec-with-design-recipes/blob/main/GET_READY.md

Diego Sanchez

@dsminotauro

I found vital focusing on mentoring, couching teams for them to achieve coding standards of excellence. In a meanwhile I still write code for me to get in touch with the craft and to learn new paradigms as functional programming.

Leandro Doctors

• Proactive and Self-Motivated Free Software and Free Culture geek.
• Interested in the Social Impact of Science and Technology.
• Contributions to Free Software, as part of globally distributed teams.
• Experienced both as a Researcher and as a Lecturer.
• Dedicated student mentor.
• International and Multicultural experience (Europe, South America, and Africa).