Unconditional Conditionality

Conditional statements—the bread and butter of programming logic. Yet, even in the simplest of tasks, some code manages to find a way to leave us both puzzled and amused. I wBehold:

if (isValid == true)
{
	isValid = true;
}
else
{
	isValid = false;
}        

Here, we have a shining example of how to turn a straightforward assignment into an exercise in redundancy. One wonders what this developer was going through to do this? Perhaps it is a case of getting paid for volume of code. Perhaps it is something much worse in the code base, which makes me shudder imagining what could make him/her to do this.

Let’s dive into the quirks of this snippet:

1. Over-complicating the obvious: The essence of this code is to ensure that isValid remains true if it already is, and false if it isn’t. A noble endeavor, but one that could be achieved far more succinctly. Instead, our author has taken the scenic route, ensuring that every possible path returns isValid to its original value.

2. Boolean Blooper: This code snippet reads like an existential crisis for isValid. "Am I true? Yes, indeed I am!" Or, "Am I not true? Then I must be false!" It's like asking someone if they are okay and then reminding them to continue being okay if they already are.

3. Maintenance Mayhem: Future developers encountering this snippet might wonder if there’s some hidden logic they’re missing. Spoiler: there isn’t. It’s a classic case of overthinking a straightforward assignment.

So, how can we refine this code to embrace simplicity and clarity? Let’s streamline the logic:

// Do absolutely nothing, isValid is already in the desired state.        

There. It's very difficult to do nothing but we have successfully done nothing and improved the code.

In this refined version, we eliminate unnecessary conditionals and let isValid be itself, achieving the same result with zero lines of code.

When you find yourself writing conditionals that merely reaffirm the status quo, take a step back and consider the simpler path. Boolean variables don’t need existential reassurance—they just need to be themselves.

Keep your code clean, concise, and free from redundancy. Your future self (and your fellow developers) will thank you.