7 Basic Rules of Programming

It is easy to write code. The challenge is writing good code.

Bad code comes in many forms. Messy code, massive if-else chains, programs that break after a single adjustment, variables that don’t make sense: the program may work once, but if put to the test, it can never hold up.

If you want to become a programmer, never settle for shortcuts. Always keep in mind to write code that is maintainable, maintainable for you, and maintainable for every other developer on your team.

How do you write effective code? Being disciplined and determined. Here are 10 basic programming rules that will make you a better programmer.

1. Keep It Simple (KISS)

It sounds a bit harsh, but it’s one of the most important coding principles to live by. What does KISS mean?

It means that you should write code in the simplest way possible. One of the rules of basic programming is to never get caught up in trying to be too clever or show off with a thick block of advanced code. If you can write a hyphen on one line, write it on one line.

The most important principle is to use clear variable names. Use the coding libraries and use the tools that may be provided to you to write code. Keeping things simple will save you a lot of unnecessary suffering in the future, remember that you can be the one to work on that code again and if it is not easy for you to read, it will not be easy for anyone, you do not want a headache in the future. 

2. Composition on inheritance

If you write code using object-oriented programming, you will find this programming principle very useful. The principle of composition over inheritance states: Objects with complex behaviors must contain instances of objects with individual behaviors. They should not inherit a class and add new behaviors. 

Relying on inheritance causes two major problems. First, the inheritance hierarchy can quickly get complicated. You can also have less flexibility in defining special case behaviors.

Composition programming is cleaner to write, easier to maintain, and allows behaviors that define flexibility. Each individual behavior is its own class. You can create complex behaviors by combining individual behaviors.

3. Write DRY code

The computer programming principle Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) clearly means don’t repeat code. It’s a common coding error. When writing code, avoid data or logic duplication. If you’ve ever copied and pasted code into your program, it is not DRY code.

The DRY code is easy to maintain. It is easier to debug a loop that handles 50 iterations than it is to debug 50 blocks of code that each handle one iteration.

4. Separation of interests

The concept of separation of interests is an abstract version of the single responsibility principle. This idea states that a program should be designed with different containers, and these containers should not have access to each other. 

A well-known example of this is model-view-controller (MVC) design. MVC design separates a program into three distinct areas: the data (model), the logic (controller), and what the page displays (view). MVC design variations are common in today’s most popular web frameworks.

For example, the code that handles the database does not need to know how to render the data in the browser. The rendering code receives input from the user, but the logical code handles the processing. Each piece of code is completely independent.

 The result is code that is easy to debug. If you ever need to rewrite rendering code, you can do so without worrying about how the data is saved or how the logic is processed.

5. You won’t need it (YAGNI)

The principle means that you should never code for functionality in case you need something in the future. One of the most important computer programming principles to learn is that you shouldn’t try to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. 

In an effort to write DRY code, programmers can violate this principle. Inexperienced programmers often try to write the most abstract and generic code they can. However, too much abstraction results in bloated code that is impossible to maintain.

Only apply DRY programming principles when you need to; if you notice code snippets written over and over again, implement an abstraction layer. Don’t think too far into the future at the expense of your current batch of code. 

6. Document your code

With all this talk about coding principles, it can be easy to forget about the human on the other end who may eventually be accessing your code. 

Any senior developer will stress the importance of documenting your code with proper comments. All languages offer them; you should make a habit of writing them down. Leave comments to explain objects, improve variable definitions, and make functions easier to understand. 

Leaving comments is a bit more work while you code. It takes time and steals your attention away from the actual work at hand. You understand your code pretty well anyway, right? Who cares? It is worth remembering that nothing is disposable, even in the world of technology. What is a computer programming principle at the end of the day if the person on the other end ends up getting lost?

We recommend going the extra mile and leaving comments anywhere you’re concerned about things getting muddy or unclear, especially when collaborating with others. Don’t frustrate your fellow developers by forcing them to figure out your syntax. 

Try writing a program, leave it alone for six months, and then modify it again. You’ll be glad you documented your program instead of having to go through every function to remember how it works. 

7. Clean code at all costs

Leave your ego at the door and forget about writing smart code. When we say this, we mean the kind of code that seems more like a puzzle than a solution. You are not programming to impress strangers. You are in this profession to solve problems. 

Don’t try to pack a ton of logic into a single line. Leave clear instructions in your comments and documentation. If your code is easy to read, it will usually be easy to maintain as well. 

Good programmers and readable code go hand in hand. Leave comments when necessary, adhere to style guidelines, and put yourself in someone else’s shoes whenever possible.

Learning to be a good programmer takes a lot of time and effort. These 7 basic programming principles are a roadmap to becoming a professional programmer. 

A good programmer understands how to make their applications easy to use, works well within a team, and completes projects to spec and on time. By following these time-honored principles of programming, you will set yourself up for success in your future programming career.