How can you communicate coding standards to a coworker?

1 Explain the benefits

Before you ask your coworker to follow a certain coding standard, you should explain why it is important and how it can benefit them and the project. For example, you can say that coding standards can help avoid errors, bugs, and security issues, make the code easier to read and understand, facilitate collaboration and code review, and improve performance and efficiency. You can also provide some examples of how coding standards have helped you or others in the past, or how they can prevent or solve some common problems.

2 Choose a common source

Rather than imposing your own coding standards, or expecting your coworker to follow yours, you should try to find a common source that both of you can agree on. This could be an official or widely accepted coding standard for the language or framework you are using, such as PEP 8 for Python, or Google Java Style Guide. Alternatively, it could be a coding standard that your team or organization has agreed on, or that is documented in a style guide or a code of conduct. By choosing a common source, you can avoid personal bias and preference, and appeal to authority and consensus.

3 Use tools and automation

One of the easiest and most effective ways to communicate coding standards to a coworker is to use tools and automation that can enforce, check, or suggest coding standards. For example, you can use a code formatter or a linter that can automatically format or flag code that does not comply with the coding standards. You can also use a code editor or an IDE that can highlight, autocomplete, or refactor code according to the coding standards. You can also use a version control system or a code review platform that can integrate with these tools and show the differences or issues in the code.

4 Be respectful and constructive

When you communicate coding standards to a coworker, you should always be respectful and constructive, and avoid criticizing or blaming them for their code. You should acknowledge that coding standards are not absolute or universal, and that different people may have different opinions or reasons for their code style. You should also focus on the positive aspects of the code, and provide specific and actionable feedback on how to improve it according to the coding standards. You should also be open to feedback and suggestions from your coworker, and be willing to compromise or adapt if necessary.

5 Follow the coding standards yourself

Finally, the best way to communicate coding standards to a coworker is to follow them yourself. You should set a good example and demonstrate how coding standards can improve your code and your workflow. You should also be consistent and adhere to the coding standards in all your code, and not make exceptions or deviations. By following the coding standards yourself, you can show your coworker that you are not being hypocritical or arbitrary, and that you value the quality and professionalism of your code.

6 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?