Software Engineering Radio - the podcast for professional software developers SE-Radio Episode 357: Adam Barr on Code Quality
22 snips
Feb 20, 2019 Adam Barr, a seasoned software developer and author, joins Felienne to explore the intricacies of code quality. They discuss the subjective nature of coding standards and the challenges that self-taught programmers face. Adam emphasizes the importance of readability and maintainability over complex metrics. They dive into the historical significance of the Morris worm incident as a lesson in software vulnerabilities. Additionally, the conversation touches on the disconnect between academia and industry, advocating for more practical programming education.
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Subjective Code Quality
- The software industry lacks a clear definition of good and bad code, leading to subjective code reviews.
- Code quality is often judged based on personal preferences rather than objective criteria.
Method Length Debate
- Adam Barr has heard varying opinions on ideal method length, from as short as 10 lines to 100.
- Excessively splitting code into small methods can hinder logic tracking.
External Code Quality Matters
- External code quality, like readability and modifiability, matters greatly for long-term maintainability.
- Code reviews anticipate future modifications and ensure code is understandable by others.
