How can you review code for readability in Enterprise Software?

1 Define and follow standards

One of the first steps to review code for readability is to define and follow consistent coding standards and guidelines. Coding standards are a set of rules and conventions that specify how to write, format, and organize code, such as naming, indentation, spacing, comments, and documentation. Coding standards help to ensure that the code is uniform, clear, and easy to read across the project and the team. They also help to avoid common errors, bugs, and vulnerabilities that can compromise the code quality and security. To define and follow coding standards, you can use tools such as code linters, formatters, and analyzers that can check and enforce the rules automatically or manually.

2 Use meaningful names

Another important step to review code for readability is to use meaningful and descriptive names for variables, functions, classes, modules, and files. Names should convey the purpose, role, and scope of the code elements, and avoid ambiguity, confusion, and duplication. Names should also follow the naming conventions of the programming language and the coding standards, such as using camelCase, snake_case, or PascalCase. Additionally, names should avoid using magic numbers, hard-coded values, abbreviations, acronyms, or jargon that can make the code obscure or misleading.

4 Simplify and refactor code

A fourth step to review code for readability is to simplify and refactor the code to make it more efficient, elegant, and maintainable. Simplifying and refactoring code means to eliminate unnecessary, redundant, or complex code, and to replace it with simpler, cleaner, or more modular code. Some examples of simplifying and refactoring code are: using built-in functions or libraries instead of writing custom code, breaking down long or nested functions or loops into smaller or simpler ones, extracting repeated or common code into separate functions or modules, and removing dead or unused code. Simplifying and refactoring code can improve the performance, readability, and reusability of the code, as well as reduce the risk of errors and bugs.

5 Review and test code

A fifth step to review code for readability is to review and test the code to verify its functionality, quality, and security. Reviewing and testing code means to examine, evaluate, and improve the code by using different methods and tools, such as code reviews, peer reviews, code audits, code quality metrics, code coverage, unit testing, integration testing, and security testing. Reviewing and testing code can help to identify and fix any issues, defects, or vulnerabilities that can affect the code readability, reliability, and security. They can also help to ensure that the code meets the requirements, specifications, and expectations of the project and the stakeholders.

6 Seek and provide feedback

A sixth and final step to review code for readability is to seek and provide constructive feedback on the code from other developers, reviewers, or users. Seeking and providing feedback means to exchange opinions, suggestions, and criticisms on the code, and to learn from the feedback to improve the code and the skills. Seeking and providing feedback can help to gain different perspectives, insights, and ideas on how to write more readable code, as well as to foster collaboration, communication, and learning among the developers and the community.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?