As software developers gain experience, they learn that mastering coding best practices isn’t just about writing code that gets the job done: the key thing is to write code that’s top quality, (relatively) easy to maintain, and, ultimately, as efficient as possible. If you’re just starting out in your software development career, you might be wondering about which “best practices” will prove helpful on that front.
Before we begin, keep in mind that you should apply these practices after learning the basics of software development, including (but definitely not limited to) algorithms, data structures, and software design platforms. Also remember that software development is about far more than technical skills; successfully completing your projects will also require “soft skills” such as empathy and teamwork, since you’ll almost always need to work alongside other developers and specialists to complete tasks.
With all that in mind, let’s jump in!
Prioritize Readability
Imagine inheriting a cryptic codebase written in someone else's alien language. Frustrating, right? Readable code is not just good practice; it's essential for collaboration, maintainability, and debugging. Follow these actionable steps:
- Meaningful naming: Use descriptive variable and function names that reflect their purpose. Avoid abbreviations and obscure terms.
- Consistent formatting: Adhere to a defined coding style guide (e.g., PEP 8 for Python) for indentation, spacing, and capitalization.
- Logical structure: Break down complex logic into smaller, well-defined functions with clear boundaries.
- Comments (judiciously): Add comments to explain non-obvious logic or complex algorithms, but don’t completely spam with commentary on every other line.
Embrace the DRY Principle
Repetitive code is a huge problem. For starters, it means that anyone who needs to update a piece of software must ensure any repeated code is tweaked everywhere, which can quickly get tedious. The DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principle is a best practice that everyone should embrace; it includes:
- Reduced code duplication: Less code means less to maintain and fewer bugs to fix.
- Modular designs: Breaking down code into reusable modules makes it easier to understand and manage large projects.
- Improved maintainability: Changes made in one place automatically propagate to all uses, saving time and effort.
Write Testable Code
Bugs happen, and they need to be caught as early as possible—ideally, before they do something that ruins a user’s experience. Whenever you’re writing code, make sure it can be easily tested and tweaked as necessary.
- Modular functions: Smaller functions are easier to isolate and test.
- Independent logic: Avoid complex dependencies between parts of your code.
- Clear inputs and outputs: Define clear expected inputs and outputs for your functions to facilitate unit testing.
- Leverage testing frameworks: Use appropriate testing frameworks (e.g., unittest, pytest) to automate your testing process.
Version Control is Your Best Friend
Tracking and managing changes to your code is essential. If you can’t do that, virtually every project you work on will quickly mutate into a nightmare. Version control systems like Git offer a safety net and collaboration powerhouse, but they’re only effective when you’ve mastered how they help you work:
- Track changes: Keep a history of all code changes, allowing you to revert to previous versions if needed.
- Branching and merging: Work on new features or bug fixes without affecting the main codebase.
- Collaboration: Multiple developers can work on the same project simultaneously, merging changes seamlessly.
- Learn from history: Track the evolution of your code and understand how it has changed over time.
Practice, Challenge, Refine
Coding is a continuous learning journey, and you won’t get better unless you’re constantly learning and updating your abilities. Hone your skills and push your boundaries with these tips:
- Practice websites: Websites like HackerRank and LeetCode offer coding challenges in various languages and skill levels.
- Open-source projects: Contribute to open-source projects to gain practical experience and learn from experienced developers.
- Personal projects: Work on your own ideas to experiment, explore new technologies, and build your portfolio.
- Code reviews: Seek feedback on your code from peers or mentors to identify areas for improvement.
Remember, coding mastery is a lifelong process. As you approach each new project, consider how it can help you boost your skills. Over time, you’ll develop your own unique list of “best practices” that will help you quickly produce elegant code. And as anyone who’s worked in tech can tell you, elegant code can help you land new jobs.
