Code Craft

The Warning Signs

Switch on your code radar, and constantly look out for rotten code. Beware of the telltale signs: Rot sets in with any change that leads to a lack of clarity or that makes the system more complex. Unnecessary complexity comes in many guises.

Here are some, the flashing red lights and Klaxon calls:

• The code is littered with many large classes and convoluted functions.

• Function names are cryptic or misleading. Functions have surprising side effects not implied by their names.

• There is no structure: It’s not clear where to look for a certain bit of functionality.

• There is duplication: Many separate bits of code crop up to do the same thing.

• There is high coupling: Complex module interconnections and dependencies mean that a small change ...