As a developer, you’re likely to spend a lot of time reading and writing code. The quality of a code can have a massive impact on your productivity, and the productivity of others who may work on it in the future. One important aspect of code quality is whether the code is self-explanatory or not.

Self-explanatory code is code that is easy to understand without the need for additional comments or explanations. This type of code is important for several reasons.

Reduced Need for Comments

The first benefit of writing self-explanatory code is that it reduces the need for comments. Comments can be helpful, but they can also become outdated and create confusion if they don’t accurately reflect the code they’re supposed to explain. By writing code that is easy to understand on its own, you can reduce the need for comments and make the code easier to maintain.

Improved Collaboration

Another benefit of writing self-explanatory code is that it makes collaboration easier. When multiple people are working on the same codebase, it’s important that they can understand each other’s code without having to ask a lot of questions. Writing self-explanatory code makes it easier for everyone to work together more efficiently and effectively.

Faster Onboarding

New developers can often face a steep learning curve when they start working on a new codebase. If the code is self-explanatory, they can understand it more quickly and get up to speed with the project faster. This can save a lot of time and make it easier for new team members to start making meaningful contributions.

Documenting Design Decisions

Writing self-explanatory code can also serve as documentation of the design decisions that were made during development. This can be especially useful if the codebase is large and complex, or if the team has high turnover. Having clear and concise code can make it easier to understand the reasoning behind specific design choices and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Faster Troubleshooting

Finally, writing self-explanatory code makes it easier and quicker to troubleshoot problems if they arise. When code is easy to understand, it’s easier to spot the source of a bug and fix it quickly. These can save a lot of time and reduce the frustration that often comes with troubleshooting.

In conclusion, writing self-explanatory code is an important aspect of code quality that can have a big impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of a development team. By investing time in writing clear and concise code, you can reduce the need for comments, improve collaboration, facilitate faster onboarding, document design decisions, and make troubleshooting easier.