Understanding and Avoiding Code Smells: A Beginner’s Guide

Understanding and Avoiding Code Smells: A Beginner’s Guide

Does code really smell? What to do give it a bath or some Deodorant? Have you ever heard someone talk about “code smells” in programming? Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean your code actually has a bad odor! It’s just a way to say that your code might need some attention, like how a dripping faucet tells you there’s a plumbing problem.

In this beginner’s guide, I’ll explain code smells in a straightforward way. We’ll explore issues that might be causing code smells, especially if you’re new to coding.

What are Code Smells?

Think of it as a warning sign that your code needs some fixing before it becomes a big headache. When you’re working on small projects, these issues might not seem like a big deal, but on larger projects that you’ll have to manage for a long time, they can turn into major problems. Trust me, I’ve been there — things can get out of control really quickly.

Let’s take a look at some common problems that can lead to code smells.

Common Code Smells

Duplicate Code:

Duplication of code is the most common type of code smell you will find in a codebase. Simply what it means is that you are repeating yourself again and again, you write a logic for some controller and then you want the same logic in another controller you copy and paste that. This is referred as duplication of code which leads to code smells.

Long Methods Or Classes:

Long methods, classes, or functions can be really tough to work with because they are like lengthy novel in your code. Imagine trying to read a book with hundreds of pages without any chapters. It becomes a tough task, and you’ll likely lose track of the plot.

When your methods or classes are too long, it’s challenging to understand what each part of your code is doing. It’s like having a conversation where someone talks and talks without pausing for a breath; you might forget the beginning by the time they reach the end.

Hard-to-Understand Variable Names:

Let’s be honest — we’ve all been beginners in coding, and at some point, we’ve used illogical variable names like ‘x,’ ‘y,’ or ‘ab.’ But here’s the catch: when your variable, function, or class names don’t clearly explain what they’re doing or storing, it’s like creating a riddle that no one can solve.

Think of it as writing a story without names for the characters — it becomes really hard to follow the plot. The same goes for your code. If your code lacks meaningful names, it can lead to what we call code smells.

Nested Loops and Conditionals:

Using too many loops and if condition inside each other will lead towards code smell . It just makes your code look complex tangeled and hard to follow. By the way, using a loop inside a loop can cause optimization issues (will add a blog for it soon).

How To Find Code Smells

Now that we’ve covered some common code smells, you might be wondering how to spot them in your code. Here are three key methods I rely on to identify and learn to avoid code smells:

Code Reviews: One effective way is to have a colleague or friend review your code. Fresh eyes often catch things you might miss. In many large companies, it’s standard practice to have someone review your code before it gets merged into the main codebase.

Code Analysis Tools: There are handy tools and linters available that can automatically detect code smells for you. For instance, in JavaScript, you can use ESLint.

Reading Other Codebases: If you’re working in a smaller firm or a startup liek me , and there’s no one to teach you, this technique can be valuable. Make it a habit to read and understand other codebases. There are plenty of excellent open-source projects on GitHub with well-structured code. You can study their coding patterns and even contribute to them sometimes.

By using these methods, you’ll develop a keen nose for code smells and become better at writing clean and maintainable code.

How to Avoid Code Smells

Now that we’ve learned about common code smells and how to spot them, let’s explore how to avoid them.

**1. Avoiding Duplicate Code:

  • Refactoring: Instead of copying and pasting the same code in multiple places, create reusable functions or methods. That way, you only need to update the logic in one spot if changes are needed and make your code more modularized so it is readable and we don't need to repeat ourselves.

**2. Dealing with Long Methods and Classes:

  • Single Responsibility Principle: Follow the principle that a function or class should have one clear and specific job. If a method feels like a novel, consider splitting it into smaller, focused functions. Each function should do one thing, and do it well.

**3. Improving Variable Names:

  • Descriptive Naming: Choose variable, function, and class names that provide clarity. When someone reads the name, they should immediately understand what it represents or stores. Avoid abbreviations, that look like a secret or cipher to other. Long names are preferable if they provide clarity.

**4. Handling Nested Loops and Conditionals:

  • Refactoring: Review your code to see if you can reduce nesting by breaking down complex logic into separate functions. This simplifies the code structure and makes it more readable.

Conclusion

I hope you understand code smells at a beginner’s level. Now atleast if you are a meeting you won’t feel losted if these words are thrown :) . Just keep in mind no code base is perfect there is always a better version of given code. You won't get things right on the first try and it might feel overwhelming, at least it is for me but just practice and keep pushing yourself for better.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you have any questions or would like to connect, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn. Do follow my YouTube channel for more content like that. Consider making a small contribution to Buy Me a Coffee☕️. Your support is greatly appreciated!

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