Clean code isn't just about aesthetics — it's about maintainability, readability, and reducing bugs. These 10 principles, distilled from decades of software wisdom, will transform how you write code.
Meaningful Names
Names should reveal intent. If a name requires a comment, the name doesn't reveal its intent.
// Bad
int d; // days
// Good
int daysSinceCreation;Functions Should Do One Thing
A function should do one thing, do it well, and do it only. If you can extract another function from it, it's doing too much.
Keep Functions Small
Functions should be small. Then they should be smaller than that. Rarely should a function be more than 20 lines.
DRY - Don't Repeat Yourself
Every piece of knowledge must have a single, unambiguous representation in the system. Duplication is the root of all evil in software.
Comments Don't Excuse Bad Code
Clear code with few comments is far superior to cluttered code with lots of comments. Express yourself in code, not comments.
Error Handling is Important
Error handling is important, but if it obscures logic, it's wrong. Separate error handling from business logic.
Use Consistent Formatting
Code formatting is about communication. Professional developers care about formatting because sloppy formatting = sloppy thinking.
Write Tests
Test code is just as important as production code. Tests enable change, flexibility, and maintenance. No tests = legacy code.
Leave Code Cleaner Than You Found It
The Boy Scout Rule: Always leave the campground cleaner than you found it. Small improvements add up to massive quality gains.
SOLID Principles
Single Responsibility, Open/Closed, Liskov Substitution, Interface Segregation, Dependency Inversion. Master these for enterprise-grade code.
Why This Matters
At My Coding Team, these principles are built into our 97+ knowledge base rules. Every piece of code we write follows these standards automatically.
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