What are the best tips for reviewing blockchain code?

1 Understand the requirements

Before you start reviewing blockchain code, you need to have a clear understanding of the requirements and specifications of the project. What is the purpose and functionality of the application or contract? What are the expected inputs and outputs? What are the possible scenarios and edge cases? How are the data and logic validated and verified? Having a solid grasp of the requirements will help you to evaluate the code against the intended goals and outcomes.

2 Follow the standards

Blockchain code should follow the best practices and standards of the language and platform it is written for. For example, if you are reviewing Solidity code, you should check if it adheres to the style guide, naming conventions, and security recommendations of the Solidity documentation. You should also look for common issues such as reentrancy, overflow, underflow, and gas optimization. Using tools such as linters, analyzers, and formatters can help you to identify and fix any violations or errors in the code.

3 Test the functionality

Another important tip for reviewing blockchain code is to test the functionality and behavior of the application or contract. You can use frameworks such as Truffle, Hardhat, or Waffle to write and run unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests for your code. You can also use simulators or testnets to deploy and interact with your code in a realistic environment. Testing the functionality will help you to verify the correctness, robustness, and usability of the code.

4 Review the documentation

Blockchain code should be well-documented and commented to explain the logic, assumptions, and design choices of the developer. You should review the documentation and comments to ensure that they are clear, consistent, and accurate. You should also check if the documentation covers all the relevant aspects of the code, such as the parameters, modifiers, events, functions, and return values. Reviewing the documentation will help you to understand the code better and to spot any gaps or inconsistencies.

5 Compare the alternatives

Blockchain code often involves trade-offs and compromises between different factors, such as speed, cost, security, and scalability. You should review the code with an open mind and compare the alternatives that the developer has chosen or rejected. You should also consider the pros and cons of each option and how they affect the overall quality and performance of the code. Comparing the alternatives will help you to evaluate the code from different perspectives and to suggest any possible improvements or enhancements.

6 Communicate the feedback

The final tip for reviewing blockchain code is to communicate the feedback to the developer in a constructive and respectful manner. You should use clear and specific language to describe the issues, suggestions, or questions that you have about the code. You should also provide examples, references, or code snippets to illustrate your points. You should also acknowledge the strengths and achievements of the code and appreciate the efforts and skills of the developer. Communicating the feedback will help you to foster a collaborative and productive relationship with the developer and to improve the code together.

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?