Lava flow (programming)


In computer programming jargon, lava flow is an anti-pattern that occurs when computer source code written under sub-optimal conditions is deployed into a production environment and subsequently expanded upon while still in a developmental state. The term derives from the natural occurrence of lava which, once cooled, solidifies into rock that is difficult to remove. Similarly, such code becomes difficult to refactor or replace due to dependencies that arise over time, necessitating the maintenance of backward compatibility with the original, incomplete design.

Causes

Lava flow can occur due to a variety of reasons within a software development process:
  • Pressure to meet deadlines leading to temporary solutions becoming permanent
  • Inadequate documentation which prevents understanding of the code’s purpose
  • Lack of automated tests which makes refactoring risky
  • Frequent changes in the development team leading to loss of knowledge

Consequences

Unrefined code that becomes part of the software’s infrastructure increases the complexity of the system and the codebase becomes increasingly difficult to understand and maintain. It leads to:

Impact on teams

Development teams often experience the impact of lava flow when team members cycle in and out:
  • Loss of knowledge about aspects of the system's code when original developers leave
  • Reluctance among new developers to refactor unfamiliar code, leading to further complexity as they add rather than clean up

Mitigation strategies

Several practices can mitigate the effects of the lava flow anti-pattern: