Clean Code Isn't About Perfection
Clean code isn’t about following every rule. It’s about writing code that your future self can understand.
Readability beats cleverness
That one-liner that does everything? It’s impressive, but it’s also unmaintainable. Write code that tells a story. Future you will thank present you.
Comments explain why, not what
# Bad: This adds 1 to x
x += 1
# Good: Handle edge case where user input exceeds max value
x += 1
Functions do one thing
If you can’t describe what a function does in one sentence, it’s doing too much. Split it up. Your tests will be easier to write too.
Naming matters more than you think
user_data vs user_profile vs user_account. Be specific. The code should read like well-written prose.
Refactor early, refactor often
Don’t wait until the code is a mess. Refactor as you go. Small changes compound into better architecture.
Test the behavior, not the implementation
Your tests should verify that the code does what it’s supposed to do, not how it does it. This makes refactoring possible.
Building systems that last? Let’s talk about your engineering challenges.