Tips to Writing Better Code

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Every successful and skillful programmer can tell how important it is to write code efficiently. Programming is not just an exact science which you just know on the go but have to be practiced to enhance and promote professionalism.

This however depends on so many factors like learning how to consistently maintain specific formatting style, using readable coding languages, using logical segmenting, practicing consistency in naming conventions, avoiding elusive names, testing return status for error conditions, employing user-friendly error message, understanding variables, setting up a version (revision) control system.

A mere observation of your code can give an impression that you are good at coding or not. Poor readability, complexities in effecting changes and irregularity in formatting style show a bad code.

Therefore, writing quality code entails proper diligence in learning and constant practice. An experienced programmer will always emphasize clarity when coding and to a greater extent, your being an excellent programmer will also depend on the same thing.

You must, therefore, embrace a few tips that will help you write better code.

Avoid Abrupt Code Optimization

Most beginners in programming often seek shortcuts in writing code without knowing that this does not only make them poor in productivity but also limits their scope of knowledge in coding. It is after adequate study and practice that code optimization beautifies your work as a programmer.

Clarity in coding is more likened to efficient coding style because not only do you understand the code, but even beginners could read through and catch up with it. This is when optimization really makes sense. Changes could be easily effected without complications, errors could be easily traced and corrected without wasting too much time and revision of the code will be so simple.

So take time to learn to code the conventional way as a beginner, practice according to your pace, avoid taking shortcuts, and then proceed to optimization.

Nevertheless, shortcuts can be so helping but you must have fully understood the formatting style with respect to clarity and optimization.

Don’t Be Tempted To Hack Frameworks

Desire to meet clients deadline or to convince clients that you are a good programmer often places loophole in our ways and services as a programmer. This is because we are often tempted to hack the framework to meet the submission deadline. Many even go as far as hacking frameworks like Bootstrap or jQuery which can be so exhaustive to fix when things go wrong.

Avoid hacking framework even if you are so sure it would work and that changes could be made because the cost of maintaining those unusual hacks can be so unbearable.

Do your coding properly and maintain a consistent style as this will earn you your client’s trust and confidence.

Refactor Every So Often

There are cases when shortcuts might be so needful, such succession could mislead programmers. Therefore, programmers should create a CSS file to house all its hacks. The CSS file is generally referred to as the “shame.css” file.

Having the same file in place as you code helps you do a quick review, reflect and refactor of your code and since you have condensed all your hacks into a single file enable prompt to erase before final delivery of the project to your client.

Always Use Revision Control for Your Code

Revision (or simply Version) control system is indeed an integral part of every development process which has a software tool for individual developers as well as a team of developers. Every programmer is expected to have this software so as to manage changes when coding. It provides a logical way to organize, control revisions to coding.

A revision control system also helps to revert documents to a previous revision which enable editors to track every edits, correct mistake and defend against vandalism.

Give Time for Learning

To become an expert in coding requires constant learning and consistent practice. This improves your efficiency and productivity while failure to learn and practice is tantamount to career decline.

Every successful programmer today has either been exposed (through learning and practice) to coding techniques unknown to others or inspired through consistent practice. It will, therefore, be an advantage to you when you give adequate time to learning and practice because it is an ingredient to better coding performance.