Why Clean Code?
I have been a devoted advocate of clean code for several years, immersing myself in numerous books and hundreds of articles on the subject. The learning journey is perpetual, and its significance is not lost on me. You might wonder why I only embraced this philosophy a few years into my career rather than from the outset. The answer lies in how employers prioritize clean code. Finding an employer who fosters a culture of clean coding practices and collaborating with like-minded colleagues are pivotal factors. Clean code is an ongoing process, an ever-evolving pursuit.
The Importance of Prioritizing Clean Code
Embarking on this journey is never belated. I recommend it to every software developer at some point. It alters your perspective on software development, fostering a growing affinity for your code and instilling a sense of pride in your work. To me, software development is an art — an act of creating something envisioned from scratch and aspiring for aesthetic appeal.
Throughout my career, I’ve observed that many can develop software, but only a handful can create clean software. Why prioritize clean software, one might ask? After all, once it’s converted to binary and it runs, the job is done. However, the role of a software developer extends beyond serving the machine; it involves crafting code for oneself and colleagues.
Navigating Priorities: Bug Fixing vs. Feature Development
At a certain juncture in one’s career, a decision must be made: invest time troubleshooting God classes, or channel efforts into expanding software and predominantly addressing feature requests. Working on bugs, especially for an extended period, can be disheartening. I recall a stint at a company where bug fixing consumed my focus for months, and it had a demoralizing effect. Additionally, it’s worth noting that, in most cases, customers don’t pay for bug fixes. While there are exceptions, dedicating developer time to fixing bugs rather than developing new features hampers a company’s competitiveness and revenue generation.
The correlation between God classes and bugs is evident. In classes with 20,000 lines or more, tightly coupled code, unclear solutions, and remnants of outdated language implementations abound. Fear of altering and enhancing such code eventually leads to the emergence of bugs.
Adapting to Change: The Role of Clean Code in Business Agility
Software development is an ever-evolving process, and businesses, being dynamic entities, necessitate swift adaptation. The ability to implement changes promptly is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. Clean code plays a pivotal role here. Well-managed, decoupled, abstract, and logically encapsulated code enables rapid implementation of business needs and new features.
While developers may feel confident in their ability to quickly add features or make changes, the collaborative nature of software development underscores the importance of clean code. If someone else, in your absence, needs to implement a business change, they should comprehend the code without relying on the original developer’s mental framework. Professionalism demands a mindset shift — developers are part of a team and must act in the best interest of the team, the company, and its revenue.
Resources for Mastery: Essential Reading on Clean Code
For those interested in delving into clean code principles, I recommend starting with the seminal work “Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship” by Robert C. Martin. Progress to “The Clean Coder: A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers” and “Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code” by Martin Fowler. These timeless books serve as foundational resources, imparting the essence of clean code and nurturing a transformative mindset for daily work.
Once equipped with this mindset, continuous practice is key. The newfound perspective allows developers to identify opportunities for improvement in existing code, provide insightful suggestions in code reviews, and derive satisfaction from not just making software work, but making it work elegantly.
Feel free to follow me ➡️ or Subscribe 🔔 for more insightful content.
Clap 👏🏻, drop a comment 💬, and share this article with anyone you think would find it valuable.
Your interaction means the world to me and I’m incredibly grateful.
Your ongoing support gives me the power to write more valuable articles. ❤️ Thank you for being here and for reading!
Happy coding!
