Coding, often referred to as programming, is how humans communicate with computers. Best coding practices are standards accepted in the technology field as the best way to write code. A computer can only do what is in its programming, so the more competent the code, the better the outcome.
Following best coding practices allows a programmer to write code efficiently and effectively. Read on to discover how to become a better programmer; these easy techniques will strengthen your current practices.
What are the Best Practices for Coding?
For computers to function as you want them to, here are 10 best coding practices to optimize your code.
- Code Readability
The easier code is to read, the easier it is to follow, maintain, and allow other programmers to review it. Code indentation, using minimal code, and meaningful naming are a couple of ways to ensure readable code.
- Code indentation works much like paragraph indentation making it easier to see where the different lines of code are.
- Minimizing the amount of code you use can optimize time and space.
- Using meaningful naming conventions means to name code something understandable. For example, using the word “loop” instead of a random number lets the reader know specifically what is to happen in the code.
- Comply with Industry Standards
Coding standards and best practices are in place to help coders write code to the best of their capabilities. Different applications have different functions and different standards.
Web pages are not written the exact same way as game development. Writing to the standard of the application’s industry preserves the integrity of your code. This also helps define the code type so that the code in the same language and field appears to be similar.
- Consider Context
Not all code writing flows the same. By considering your code’s specific context, you will write code that flows with the standards of the language you are writing in.
Coupling the standards with your programming instinct will produce code that functions as the type of code you are programming is meant to. The context will give you a framework for writing code and allow your productivity to flow.
- Prioritize Documentation
While you do not have to leave comments on self-explanatory code, not all code defines itself. By leaving comments, you can ensure the developer will follow through with your expectation of the code.
Focus on the explanation of the why instead of what is already seen in the code. View it from the perspective of your audience and explain the answers to questions you anticipate they will have. This will have your code’s user side aligned with your intentions.
- Consistent Backups
There are a few things more disappointing than work loss due to deletion. Backing your code up frequently can prevent this unnecessary waste of code.
Creating a daily backup after every major code installation protects your time and your intellectual property. Protect your hard work by backing it up.
- Avoid Repetition
The “Do Not Repeat Yourself” guideline is a coding industry best practice. It suggests turning repeated code into a function, or chunk of code.
This can be put into place in code when you need to use it multiple times. This keeps your code readable as well. It also streamlines the debugging process by keeping you from having to fix the repeated line multiple times. Do less work by using a function instead of repetition.
- Make it Modifiable
Making code modifiable makes it easy to upgrade and maintain. When your code is reviewed, it is easy to enhance code that has already been set up for modification. Maintenance is easier with a streamlined modification process. Run-time is also generally faster with modifiable code.
- Put Safety First
Use industry standards for creating safe code.
Code security is important because it minimizes bugs and other issues that put hardware at risk. Three things you can do to ensure safety is to require user authentication, avoid hardcoding login credentials, and randomize session IDs. Protect your system and the user side by writing safe code.
- Automated Testing
Automated testing ensures safety by testing at certain intervals. This catches bugs and allows you to fix them before it is too late. This, along with the tips above, protect your code and the eventual user’s hardware.
- Code Review
A fresh set of eyes can allow you a new perspective on code. A fellow programmer at your level or above can catch things you didn’t. A developer can look at your code on to measure its readability and your code’s ability to transfer to the development stage.
Just like getting someone to read your college essay, a code review can make your code stronger by providing a new perspective.
Why follow Coding Best Practices?
Following best practices for coding ensures good code. Computer programming is a huge field where professionals have worked out how to manage the best functioning technology. Following their advice eliminates the guesswork for you.
To make it even easier, at WillDom we specialize in end-to-end tech solutions such as best coding practices. Our programmers are coding experts and can be the programming solution you need. Visit our website or our LinkedIn profile to learn more.
