Domain-driven design (DDD) is a strategic approach to software development that emphasizes collaboration between technical and domain experts to create a model that reflects the business domain. It focuses on understanding the core domain, creating a shared language (ubiquitous language), and structuring the codebase around the business concepts to improve alignment between software design and business needs.
DDD is useful because it helps teams produce software that is more maintainable, flexible, and aligned with business goals. It encourages breaking down complex systems into bounded contexts, which can be developed, tested, and deployed independently, fostering agility and scalability.
In the Tech Radar, DDD is placed in the "adopt" ring of the "methods-and-patterns" quadrant. This placement reflects its maturity and proven effectiveness in numerous real-world applications. It is widely recognized as a best practice for developing complex systems where understanding and evolving the business domain is crucial. With its focus on collaboration and communication, DDD has become increasingly relevant in today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environments.