3 basic rules for clean code

3 basic rules for clean code

Developers turn business ideas into code. But sometimes you forget to tidy up the kitchen again – Clean Code is the right keyword in this case! Applications written according to Clean Code rules are simply scalable and pleasant to work on and further develop. Appropriate naming of variables, methods, classes as well as the order of application levels is very important.

WHY DO IT AT ALL?

The main idea is that everyone who ever sees your code should be able to quickly understand what your intention was and what the code does. The code should explain itself. Sounds like a good idea, right? But let's ask the question: Why actually? Why do we care that the code is self-explanatory?.

Before you answer, ask yourself: "How much time do I spend writing code and how much time do I spend reading code?

By spending more time writing code,most developers spend far more time reading code than writing it. And that's precisely why it's essential to make sure that code is easy to understand and pleasant to read. There are fewer misunderstandings and the work runs smoother.ou spend more time writing code – wow, kudos! Most developers spend far more time reading code than writing it. And that's precisely why it's essential to make sure that code is easy to understand and pleasant to read. There are fewer misunderstandings and the work runs smoother.

You're not a master programmer from the get-go, and nobody writes perfect code at the start. Code develops and changes over time. That's why it's so important to think about what and how you're programming. Feedback from team members can help a lot here, and improve the quality of your work. Like I said, it's a continuous process that always needs to be improved and revised. Write a draft of your code, take a look at it, and then try to revise it to make it cleaner. It's sort of like being a sculptor - the masterpiece is created through reducing the total mass.

PAIR PROGRAMMING?

Working in pairs can improve the quality of your code and increase your work speed. It also allows two developers to share knowledge and ideas with each other. The end result will be better than what one person could achieve alone. And solutions that come about during discussion are usually much better thought out and developed.

Pair programming is a great way for two developers to work together on code. One person writes a small piece of code while the other person comments on it immediately – for example, whether there is a simpler way to write it. This is also a good way for experienced colleagues to share their knowledge. Pair programming is primarily about brainstorming how two thought processes can influence each other as code is being written and analyzed at the same time.

SOME GUIDELINES FOR CLEAN CODE:

LESS IS MORE

At the beginning of the software-writing process, it's not uncommon to write more than is actually necessary. For example, there may be variables that aren't needed, large "if" blocks that could be streamlined—things like that.

At some point, it's healthy to slim down your code by getting rid of unnecessary variables and removing comments. After all, the code should be self-explanatory.

REFACTORING

Your functions may be large and complex, but if they're more than 20 lines long, with many nested if statements and loops, it's time to take a step back. You can reformat your code so that the purpose of the function is clear at a glance, without needing to analyze the logic in detail. This will make your code more readable and easier to understand.

Why bother with refactoring at all? Because it can help to keep your codebase simpler and more readable. It might be confusing at first if your functions are short and call 10 other functions, but it's better than having one huge, unreadable mound of code. It's easier to digest several small pieces of code than one giant, impenetrable mass.

STRIKING NAMES

It's worth taking some time to find the right name for a class, function, or variable. This saves our colleagues—and maybe ourselves in the future—a lot of time. Avoid using acronyms or abbreviations that aren't immediately clear. Names should be simple and self-explanatory. For example, "usersAction" could be an unclear name. To know what "usersAction" means, you would probably have to look at the description of the function. In contrast, the function could have a more self-explanatory name like "addUser."In contrast, the function named "saveUserInDataBaseAndSendAnEmail" is clear and self-explanatory. This name indicates exactly what the function does. And inside this function, there could be sub-functions with names like "saveUserInDataBase" or "sendEmailToUser," as per point

This would make the code more organized and easier to understand.

>It is important to choose names that indicate what data they contain or what service they represent.

>It is important to select one that accurately reflects what the function does.

>It is generally best to name classes after the larger section of the project they are part of. For example, “Payments”, “Invoices”, etc. If classes start to get longer than around 200 lines, it may be time to consider breaking them up into smaller classes.

Clean code has benefits! You'll enjoy your work more, feel less stressed, have to write fewer unit tests, be able to debug more easily, and produce better quality software.

Almost every developer who has worked on more than one project knows how frustrating and time-consuming it can be to work with messy code. This isn't because the developer is bad at their job, but rather because it can take forever to decipher and understand the code. This is frustrating and exhausting. Nobody likes working with poorly written code where mistakes are almost inevitable. There are many reasons why bad code can end up in a project. Maybe there's a lack of time, or maybe there's a lack of knowledge about the technology. Or maybe it's just because the developer didn't know any better.

Now that we've gotten everything straightened out: clean up your code! Get into the habit of following some good coding practices and you'll see results sooner than you think!

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