In common usage, by design is an idiom that means something was done deliberately, with intention, or on purpose. The expression is also used by computer technology professionals to refer to features that are intentionally designed into computer software or hardware. For example, Sun Microsystems uses the expression to note that their Java Preferences API is intentionally similar to their Map interface.<ref> "Preferences API Design FAQ", copyright 2006, accessed April 29, 2008. <!--Verifiability? Not clear how this source documents this statement.--></ref>

The expression may also be used to indicate that a perceived problem with computer software or hardware results from an intentional change in the product.

In scientific or philosophical discussions about the origin of the universe or life, the expression has been used by various authors.

Usage in some book titles

By Design: Science and the Search for God (ISBN 1-893554-64-3) is a book by Larry Witham which chronicles a century and a half of the evolution debate in terms of the "science and religion dialogue" and traces the rise of the intelligent design movement. (See Teleological argument.) Publishers Weekly calls Witham's book "a helpful guide to the major issues in ... the ongoing dialogue between scientists and theologians about the relationship between science and religion ... drawing on interviews with key partners in the conversation," and observes that "Critics of intelligent design point out that the work is very sympathetic to supporters of intelligent design, and that the author covers religion for the conservative Washington Times, a newspaper owned by the Unification Church."


By Design: A Hollywood Novel is by Richard E. Grant. Picador, 1999. ISBN 033036829X (10). ISBN 978-0330368292 (13).



Not By Design: The Origin of the Universe (ISBN 0-87975-451-6) is a book by physicist Victor J. Stenger which argues that "what we now know about nature does not, as many people believe, require either a creation or a Creator. The simplest hypothesis that so far seems to explain the data is that the universe is an accident." (See Argument from poor design.)

Notes