Creating clean, sophisticated, and user-friendly code is no easy feat. Blaise Pascal, the renowned French philosopher, once stated that if he had more time, he would have written a shorter letter. This underscores the difficulty of conveying a clear and concise message. As software developers, we face a similar challenge when crafting code. In this article, you will find four useful tips to help you become a skilled software craftsman and write clean code.
1. Keep it simple
Simplicity is the key to writing clean code that others can comprehend. The general rule is that ‘less is more,’ so it’s best to avoid making things overly complex. Redundant code should be avoided since it makes code harder to navigate and maintain. Additionally, using a formatting style that’s easy for readers to understand can benefit other individuals who may work with the code in the future.
2. Avoid Vague and Generic Names
When writing code, it’s crucial to use descriptive and specific names. The names should be for variables, functions, and other components. These names should accurately convey their intended purpose. Rather than using generic or ambiguous names, strive to choose meaningful names that accurately reflect their purpose. For instance, if you’re creating a function that calculates the average of a list of numbers, opt for a name such as “calculate average.” Don’t use vague names like “calculate.” Also, ensure the name is easy to pronounce and search for while avoiding slang or offensive words.
3. Limit Your Use of Comments
Maintaining code can become a challenging task when comments are included. This is because it can be hard to ensure that the comments are updated alongside code changes. When your code is easily understood, you won’t need comments to explain it. However, in cases where the code is not self-explanatory, it may be necessary to add comments. Remember that comments are only needed in specific situations to clarify the code’s behavior. They should not be used as a substitute for writing clear, easy-to-understand code.
4. Follow the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) Principle
Eliminating code duplication is a crucial aspect of coding. Instead of copying and pasting the same code, creating a reusable function can be very helpful. This approach is in line with the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principle and allows you to call the function instead of duplicating the code.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to take clean coding practices seriously, as your code reflects your work. Receiving feedback and undergoing code reviews can help improve your coding style. Remember that you’re writing code for others to read, not for computers or yourself. This is the first step in ensuring clean coding.
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