Interface bloat is a phenomenon in

software design Software design is the process of conceptualizing how a software system will work before it is implemented or modified. Software design also refers to the direct result of the design process the concepts of how the software will work which co ...

where an

interface Interface or interfacing may refer to: Academic journals * ''Interface'' (journal), by the Electrochemical Society * '' Interface, Journal of Applied Linguistics'', now merged with ''ITL International Journal of Applied Linguistics'' * '' Inter ...

incorporates too many (often unnecessary) operations or elements, causing issues such as difficulty navigating and usability.

Definition

While the term bloat can refer to a variety of terms in software design, Interface bloat refers to the phenomenon where the user interface (UI) becomes unnecessarily complex and overloaded with features, options, or elements that can overwhelm users. This often leads to a cluttered experience, decreased usability, and increased difficulty for users to accomplish their tasks efficiently. Interface bloat can arise from various sources, including the addition of excessive functionality without proper consideration of user needs, the merging of disparate features, or pressure to include numerous options to cater to a broader audience.

References

Anti-patterns Computer programming folklore Software engineering folklore {{soft-eng-stub