Pluggable Architecture

Extend functionality without touching existing code

Aly Sivji

Abstractions Architecture Development Software Design System Architecture

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Applications and libraries with a pluggable architecture allow developers to add custom functionality. Plugins can customize user interfaces, create new workflows, and interface with legacy systems. Designing a plugin is often difficult - documentation is sparse, outdated, or non-existent. You end up diving into a unfamiliar codebase to figure out what to do.

This talk examines Pluggable Architecture by creating a custom plugin system: we will design an interface, think about where to hook in custom behavior, and discuss testing techniques. Understanding these principles will enable us to write custom plugins for third-party libraries. Extend the functionality of your favourite library without touching existing code!

Type: Talk (30 mins); Python level: Beginner; Domain level: Beginner


Aly Sivji

Chicago Python

Aly Sivji is a Canadian expat living in Chicago. By day, he builds backend systems at Numerator. By night, he is a co-organizer of the Chicago Python Users Group (ChiPy). Aly is an active participant in the ChiPy Mentorship Program and he loves helping intermediate developers become experts. Outside of Python, Aly enjoys cycling, reading, and rewatching old TV shows.