Clean code is not just about following conventions—it's about writing code that tells a story, code that future developers (including yourself) can understand and modify with confidence.
What Makes Code Clean?
Clean code is simple, focused, and expressive. It does one thing well and makes its intent clear to anyone reading it. It's not about being clever; it's about being clear.
Core Principles
- Functions should do one thing and do it well
- Names should reveal intent - be descriptive, not clever
- Keep functions small and focused
- Minimize dependencies and coupling
- Write tests that document behavior
The Boy Scout Rule
Always leave the code cleaner than you found it. Small improvements add up over time and create a culture of continuous improvement in your codebase.
Refactoring as a Habit
Refactoring isn't something you do when you have time—it's something you do as part of your regular development process. Clean code is maintained code.
Remember: code is read more often than it's written. Optimize for readability, and your future self will thank you.