9 Tips to Write Better Code

The quality of a product depends directly on what and how it is made. Writing code is no exception. Its quality must be monitored at every stage of development. This will make your product reliable and save you from having to fix bugs all the time. If you googled "can someone do my coding homework" during your studies, you certainly wouldn't be able to write clean code when you get a job. Let's discuss what clean code is, how to make your code better, how to create it, and why it's so important.

Why is code quality so important?

The quality of the code directly affects the life of the product after release. If the code is bad, it has to be fixed regularly both during the creation phase of the program and after its release. Undoubtedly, an application can be good and in demand, but unstable performance significantly reduces user satisfaction. However, if the code is good, even programmers who were not involved in writing the code can quickly make corrections later on.

What is a quality code?

The distinguishing signs of a good code are:

• Readability — not only for the computer but also for people. It will allow even those who see it for the first time to change, add and correct it;
• It is not always possible to avoid bugs, but even so, they should be easy to fix and not numerous;
• The modifications should not cause any trouble and should not result in errors.

Other important characteristics of qualitative code are its documented character, presence of comments, and brevity. All of these attributes combine to make the code as clean and beautiful as it should be.

How to write better code?

Linearity

All actions specified in the code must be sequential and logical. This makes it easier to work with it, allowing you to trace the developer's train of thought and understand how the program processes should function. Linearization consists of several steps: select the main branch of the algorithm, take it to the lowest sub branching level and repeat it with subbranches recursively.

Brevity

It is worth avoiding multiple repetitions if they can be combined with a single function. If some parts of the code are not used, you should consider removing them not to complicate understanding. There is no need to reinvent the wheel and clutter the code with them. Many tasks that programmers face have already been solved a long time ago; it is just worth looking for a better one.

Comments

Comments are not always needed, but sometimes they are necessary to specify a class or method contract, document a library, or simply explain the code. In any case, there shouldn't be too many of them. They should explain what the program does and why, not how it does it.

Testing

A developer should not only write code but also test its functionality. Regular testing of a program is one of the important factors of its quality. If this process is delayed, the code will be too long, and finding bugs will take much more time than it could.

Don't overwork yourself

Undoubtedly, the desire for high-quality and productive work is commendable. But overworking leads to burnout, and following templates deprives you of the opportunity to find a simpler and prettier solution. Consequently, it is necessary to work with a fresh head and allow yourself to depart from the template understanding of how to write code correctly. This way, the developer can optimize the form and content of the code and reduce the time it takes to work with it in the future.

Don't have the errors

You don't have to hate bugs and fight furiously against every little thing. Of course, it is necessary to eliminate bugs, but this process must do the program and the programmer good. This allows you to learn to avoid making the same type of mistakes in the future and to treat the code more carefully, so it is worth having patience and accepting this part of working with code.

Refactoring

You can hide things in the locker in a big pile and close it tightly so that nothing falls out, or you can carefully put everything on shelves. The result is the same: things are inside, the locker is closed. However, it will be more convenient to get and rearrange things in the second case. It's the same with the code. If the need arises, we rewrite it in a neater way without changing the functionality. This has a positive effect on its understanding and reduces the number of potential problems.

Static analysis

It is an automatic check of the code which does not require executing a program. The advantage of static analysis is that it does not demand human time and points out errors people might have missed during code review. Thanks to this, you double the benefit of checking the code and make it more perfect.

Architectural design

You should start creating code by thinking about the architecture — the building blocks, the interfaces, how they interact, and the overall architectural style of the code. Sometimes, this happens quickly, but you have to go deeper into the process and pay attention to all the details when you work on large, complex projects. It is important that everyone who works on the program adheres to the developed architecture. This will build a clear and beautiful system that is easy and pleasant to work with.