What are the best ways to maintain web application code over time?

Version control and change management are an integral part of maintenance of any application , platform or system. It is best to have the version control system tied closely with the change management solution, that way each change can be tracked down to the specific version which has been used in the past.

Maintaining web application code over time is greatly enhanced by the use of version control systems. These systems, like Git, track changes to the codebase, allowing developers to revert to previous versions if needed and understand the evolution of the code. They facilitate collaboration, enabling multiple developers to work on different features simultaneously without conflict. Regularly committing changes to a version control system ensures a history of modifications and updates, which is crucial for diagnosing issues and understanding the development timeline. It's a foundational practice for managing and preserving the integrity of web application code over time.

Enable use of 1. design patterns 2. SOLID principles 3. Unit testing 4. Quality tool integrations like Sonar Start using proper commit messages, write small testable methods, each responsible for a single need.

Test, test and test. Write unit test cases, whenever possible use TDD to build bottom up. Make test run as part of the CI/CD process. Fail early in the dev cycle. Enable feedback cycle through pair programming, XP programming.

Documenting code is crucial. Use clear comments for complex parts, explaining the "why." Choose descriptive names for functions and variables. Include an overview in each file, and maintain a comprehensive Readme. Leverage tools like JSDoc for automation. Provide examples and tutorials. Note dependencies and keep them updated. Maintain a change log and consider non-technical stakeholders. Use diagrams for complex processes. Keep documentation current with regular updates. Prioritize clarity for seamless collaboration and troubleshooting.

Documentation of the code is as important as to write a testable code. Enable swagger for Api documentation. Name class, component, method, service, controller, variable names in a way that is related to the problem you are solving. For example, boolean flag is too generic instead name say isDropdownTobeEnabled

This step can be automated or done manually. The key point to take away from this section is that code review must be done both manually and automated processes. This is because all part of the code cant be reviewed with automations or if it does we might see a big spike in our false positive. Part of this process can be automated to save time. Keep in mind that its better practice to do most of the tests in test/dev environments so that production is kept safe and pushes to production dont get stuck in review for quite sometime.

Keep code up to date is very important to get the new features benefits like performance, security etc. and also to make code compatible with new tech stack changes over time.

Here's 4 things to consider to maintain code: Utilise Version Control: Implement tools like Git to manage code changes, crucial for collaboration and maintaining a consistent codebase. Test Your Code Thoroughly: Incorporate testing methods (unit, integration, functional, penetration) and use automation tools like Selenium or JUnit for efficient bug and error identification. Document Your Code Effectively: Regularly update documentation to match code changes. Clear documentation aids in understanding and reduces confusion and inconsistency. Regular Code Review: Engage in both manual and automated code reviews to evaluate code quality, functionality, and security, and incorporate feedback from other developers for improvement.

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