replacing the old HTML user guide with a Sphinx-managed user guide
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+##############################
+Design and Architectural Goals
+##############################
+
+Our goal for CodeIgniter is maximum performance, capability, and
+flexibility in the smallest, lightest possible package.
+
+To meet this goal we are committed to benchmarking, re-factoring, and
+simplifying at every step of the development process, rejecting anything
+that doesn't further the stated objective.
+
+From a technical and architectural standpoint, CodeIgniter was created
+with the following objectives:
+
+- **Dynamic Instantiation.** In CodeIgniter, components are loaded and
+ routines executed only when requested, rather than globally. No
+ assumptions are made by the system regarding what may be needed
+ beyond the minimal core resources, so the system is very light-weight
+ by default. The events, as triggered by the HTTP request, and the
+ controllers and views you design will determine what is invoked.
+- **Loose Coupling.** Coupling is the degree to which components of a
+ system rely on each other. The less components depend on each other
+ the more reusable and flexible the system becomes. Our goal was a
+ very loosely coupled system.
+- **Component Singularity.** Singularity is the degree to which
+ components have a narrowly focused purpose. In CodeIgniter, each
+ class and its functions are highly autonomous in order to allow
+ maximum usefulness.
+
+CodeIgniter is a dynamically instantiated, loosely coupled system with
+high component singularity. It strives for simplicity, flexibility, and
+high performance in a small footprint package.