ADR-0013: Complexity Is Rejected in Favor of Predictability

Prefer simple rerun-based correctness and defer optimizations until proven necessary.

Status

Accepted

Context

Many potential optimizations introduce significant complexity and hidden failure modes.

Decision

When choosing between:

complex incremental optimization
simple rerun-based correctness

RippleDB chooses simplicity and correctness.

Optimizations are deferred until proven necessary.

Alternatives Considered

Aggressive optimization
Smart diffing
Query introspection

Consequences

Easier reasoning
Fewer edge-case bugs
Acceptable performance for intended use cases

Final Note (Meta-ADR)

Any future change that contradicts one of these ADRs must introduce a new ADR explaining why the original decision no longer holds.

This is how the architecture stays coherent.