The field of software development has evolved rapidly since the early 1980s. Today, software engineering is one of the most sought-after careers. Coding is a crucial part of this job and so are the mistakes made during it.
While mistakes are inevitable, beginners and experienced professionals alike can learn to avoid them.
Also Read: Secure Coding: The Cornerstone of Software Security
Learn some common mistakes developers make while coding and tips to avoid them.
Understanding and learning from these errors is necessary to improve coding skillset and efficiency.
Ignoring the Readability of Their Code
Perhaps the most common mistake is writing code that runs but is challenging to read (from another person’s perspective). If a coder indulges in poor naming conventions, fails to add supportive comments, and uses overly complex logic, it can make the code hard to read.
How to Avoid This
Ensure naming conventions are consistent, fragment complex logic to simple code, and add helpful and clarifying comments.
Failing to Handle Errors Adequately
Errors are an important part of a code. Regardless of how despised they are, they serve an important function. That function is to help coders recognize the mistakes in their code.
Yet, many developers overlook the importance of error handling. They work on the assumption that their code will run smoothly. This can lead to unhandled exceptions that crash the application or expose vulnerabilities.
How to Avoid This
Check the code thoroughly, validate the user’s inputs, and log errors effectively. Use try, catch/effect, and finally blocks to handle errors properly.
Writing Code Without Testing
Many coders rely solely on manual testing or they skip unit tests. This leads to bugs that go unnoticed until later stages, which makes it harder and more costly to resolve.
How to Avoid This
Adopt a test-driven development (TDD), where the tests are written before the actual code. This maintains code quality and reliability.
Using Global Variables Frequently
Global variables are conveniently accessible from anywhere in a program. This makes it attractive for developers to use. But side effects of its use involve added challenges while debugging.
Additionally, other areas of the code can be affected with changes made to global variables.
How to Avoid This
Limit using global variables with encapsulation of data within functions, classes, or modules. Make use of local variables wherever possible.
Conclusion: Avoid 4 Mistakes for Better Coding
In conclusion, following these best practices is the strategy for developers to create clean and efficient code.
