Ownership & Lifetimes
Layer 1: Language Mechanics
Core Question
Who should own this data, and for how long?
Before fixing ownership errors, understand the data's role:
- Is it shared or exclusive?
- Is it short-lived or long-lived?
- Is it transformed or just read?
Error → Design Question
Thinking Prompt
Before fixing an ownership error, ask:
-
What is this data's domain role?
- Entity (unique identity) → owned
- Value Object (interchangeable) → clone/copy OK
- Temporary (computation result) → maybe restructure
-
Is the ownership design intentional?
- By design → work within constraints
- Accidental → consider redesign
-
Fix symptom or redesign?
- If Strike 3 (3rd attempt) → escalate to Layer 2
Trace Up ↑
When errors persist, trace to design layer:
Trace Down ↓
From design decisions to implementation:


