MENTAL MODEL · M1358

Lasagna Code

BusinessHigh supportManagement

Included

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Refers to over-layered architecture. Although the layers are clear (presentation, business, data...), modifying a simple feature requires penetrating every layer and modifying files in each layer, which is extremely cumbersome.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Beware of over-abstraction. If your company has too many reporting levels or processes are too rigid, you are in the 'Lasagna Code dilemma'. Sometimes, flattening (reducing layers) is more important than structuring.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Refers to a system being divided into too many layers (presentation, business, data...), each with a single responsibility but with severe vertical coupling overall. The mechanism is that 'decoupling for the sake of decoupling' creates new coupling—modifying an end-to-end feature requires synchronized changes in every layer's files, with long call chains and difficult troubleshooting.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/4

Practice this model in one real situation:

Identify whether 'changing one place requires touching N layers'
Merge overly thin or idle layers, based on change frequency rather than theoretical layering
Reorganize using flattening or vertical slicing (by functionality rather than by layer)
Similarly compress reporting levels in the organization.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

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Source support: Explicit

link
en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_codeZH · Explicit
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