It’s been proven that programming using the “workaround-oriented” paradigm isn’t very viable, much less profitable in the medium to long term for any application. Developing any application involves much more than simply getting the program up and running, delivering it, and leaving it at that, and this is a mistake many beginning programmers make.
We can contextualize the “Clean Code” technique with 3 main characteristics that our various lines of code must follow:
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Readable: an easy-to-understand code that is semantic, cohesive, makes reading easier, so its understanding is faster and more intuitive
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Testable: every application must always undergo testing, in the most diverse scenarios, so that we can safely change them, when necessary, without fear of even causing a “crash” in the system
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Easy to maintain: it must be subject to change, corroborating the item above, allowing the addition of new functionalities, without the need for general refactoring, handling possible errors, eventually, at runtime
Why is clean code important?
Clean code means writing highly readable code, which leads to good maintainability.
A clean code should be:
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Simple and straightforward: well-written code should have as little complexity as possible so that it can be easily debugged and understood
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Dry: DRY code “Don’t Repeat It” – a concept brought by Andy Hunt, one of the authors of the Agile Manifesto – is one without ambiguity, that is, if you have already inserted it somewhere in the source code, it should not be implemented again
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Attention to detail: the programmer must always create code carefully, as poorly written code from the start will impact its maintenance, cause great harm and slow down understanding
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Pay attention to comments: comment as little as possible in your code. Your code should already be clear enough to not require comments. If you do need to, try to comment as little as possible
Clean code: Programming tests
Given these rules, it’s always important to remember that the code you write will likely undergo maintenance and refactoring. Code will only be considered clean if it passes testing.
When producing software, therefore, it is necessary to ensure that each line of code is validated, so that it remains functional.
It is interesting to use the Test-Driven Development (TDD) methodology, and perform Integrity, Installation, Configuration, Usability, Security, Integration and other tests.
How to write good code?
Given this, what practices should be followed to make clean code possible?
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Define good names: the name is essential to the code. It should be straightforward and clearly represent what it means, even if this requires a long name
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Class names: avoid words that conflict with language components and use nouns instead of verbs
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Method names: here, yes, they must contain verbs and express the developer’s intention, such as “DeletePage”
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TDD: as we said, you need to test everything, all the time
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Good names don’t need any comments: replace them with clear names, so there is no more confusion
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Create error handling: if there is an error, you need to ensure there are ways to handle it
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Formatting: take care of code formatting and indentation to improve its readability
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Package: categorize your codes into packages to make them more organized and elegant
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Avoid excessive repetition: if you need to use a certain query more than once or need to convert a value frequently, create a function and keep your site consistent
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Avoid commented code: comments should only be made if truly necessary. Code is modified frequently, but comments are not. Therefore, they fail to reflect the code’s true functionality. Comments should be used sparingly and changed whenever necessary. This is the most controversial aspect of Clean Code, as many developers prefer to work with commented code
Developing with a focus on clean code makes programming more agile and generates less loss and delays to the business.
By coding this way, you facilitate the automation of processes in companies, making reading and usability by the customer simpler.
This concept is fundamental for IT businesses based on Software as a Service (SaaS) or “software as a service” that has recurring revenue model, that is, by monthly or annual subscription, for example.
This is because the system will be cloud-based, allowing users greater flexibility in deciding which features to include. The IT Company provides all the support the company needs, allowing them to test and modify the system more easily.
