What are table-driven rules?

Table-driven rules are a design pattern where program logic is stored in data structures (like dictionaries or maps) rather than hardcoded conditional statements, making the system easier to extend.

Does this skill work with languages other than Python?

Yes, while the pattern is commonly associated with Python and Lisp, the principles apply to any programming language that supports hash maps, dictionaries, or lookup tables.

When should I avoid using this pattern?

Avoid this pattern for very simple logic with only a few cases, or when the rules require highly complex, nested logic where the order of evaluation is not easily mapped to a table.

How does this improve code maintenance?

It allows developers to add, remove, or modify rules by simply updating a data structure without needing to risk breaking the core execution logic of the function.

Table-Driven Rules Pattern

Name: Table-Driven Rules Pattern
Author: jimmc414

byjimmc414

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Developer Tools

Replaces complex conditional logic with extensible data structures to improve code maintainability and readability.

This skill implements the 'Table-Driven Rules' design pattern, inspired by Peter Norvig's programming paradigms. It guides Claude to replace brittle if-else chains and complex switch statements with clean, data-driven lookup tables. By separating business logic from execution flow, it makes code easier to extend, debug, and maintain, particularly in systems involving simplification rules, state transitions, or configuration-heavy behaviors where rules change more frequently than the underlying logic.

Key Features

01Refactors complex if-elif chains into dictionary-based lookup tables

02Implements extensible simplification systems for symbolic expressions

03Enhances code visibility by making business rules easily inspectable

04Promotes 'Data over Code' principles for cleaner software evolution

051 GitHub stars

06Configures state machines and direction vectors using data structures

Use Cases

01Managing game logic state transitions and coordinate-based movements

02Refactoring mathematical or logical expression simplifiers

03Mapping complex input commands or API routes to specific handlers

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add jimmc414/claude-code-plugin-marketplace use-table-driven-rules

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill