How can you balance code review with development tasks in web apps?

1 Define clear goals and expectations

Before you start reviewing or submitting code, make sure you have a clear understanding of the goals and expectations of the code review process. What are the standards and guidelines for code quality, style, performance, security, and documentation? How much feedback do you expect to give or receive, and in what format? How do you prioritize and assign code review tasks, and how do you track and measure their progress and impact? Having clear and consistent goals and expectations can help you avoid confusion, conflicts, and wasted time.

2 Plan and schedule your code review time

Code review should not be an afterthought or a random interruption of your development workflow. It should be a planned and scheduled activity, just like any other development task. You can use tools like calendars, timers, or project management software to allocate and manage your code review time. For example, you can set aside a specific time slot every day or week for code review, or you can review code in batches or sprints, depending on your project needs and preferences. Planning and scheduling your code review time can help you stay focused, productive, and motivated.

3 Use automation and tools to streamline code review

Code review can be tedious and error-prone if you rely solely on manual inspection and communication. You can use automation and tools to streamline and enhance your code review process. For example, you can use code analysis tools to detect and fix common issues like syntax errors, formatting inconsistencies, code smells, or security vulnerabilities. You can also use code review platforms to facilitate and automate code submission, review, feedback, approval, and integration. Using automation and tools can help you save time, reduce mistakes, and improve code quality.