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Not once or twice have I heard things like, “Why should I follow this? It works just fine for me,” or, “I know what’s best for this project, why should I follow their conventions?”
It’s easy to ignore coding standards and conventions as unnecessary, especially when everything seems to be working well for you. But here’s the thing: a codebase with consistent styles and patterns isn’t just about personal preferences - it’s about creating an environment that’s easier to work with, understand, and maintain.
So, what’s the difference between coding standards and coding conventions? In simple terms, standards are formal rules that ensure code quality & consistency across projects, while conventions are agreed-upon practices for style and structure of a language or a project.
For example, a language convention in JavaScript or TypeScript is to use camelCase for variables, so you wouldn’t use kebab-case. On the other hand, a project convention might be to use camelCase for folder names, even though folder naming doesn't have a universal standard, unlike variables or functions. If the project adopts this convention, you should follow it.
An example for coding standards in action is using simple tools like ESLint (a linting tool that analyzes your code and provides feedback as you type) and Prettier (a formatter for consistent style). While these might seem trivial to you, they enforce coding standards and help catching common errors early, and it's much easier to review and maintain code that is formatted and well-organized.
But why does this matter? consistent code isn’t just about aesthetics - it makes the code easier to read & review. Imagine working on a large team where everyone uses their own styles. Reviewing code would become a nightmare, and onboarding new developers would take longer. Tools like linters catch issues early, and formatted code saves precious time during code reviews.
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In the end, following coding standards and conventions isn’t about limiting creativity, it’s about making collaboration easier and creating software that’s simpler to maintain and grow. Think of it as a shared language - one that makes sure everyone on the team is speaking the same "dialect". That’s how great software gets built.
- AI significantly impacts software development by identifying and learning from past code bugs, generating lines of code, suggesting coding practices, and correcting minor errors. - AI plays a crucial role in software design by crafting quick prototypes and refining designs based on past projects. - During testing, AI can identify bugs, facilitating a smoother developer experience. - AI also contributes to the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), particularly by analyzing user needs effectively and handling extensive data processing.
CI/CD in DevOps automates code integration and deployment, boosting speed, collaboration, and efficiency in software delivery processes.
- Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured sequence for developing software, including requirement collection, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. - SDLC provides a systematic approach to software development, ensuring consistency, reducing risks, and meeting user expectations. - The Waterfall Model, an early SDLC approach, operates sequentially, progressing to the next step only after the current one is completed. Backtracking to amend a step is not feasible in this model. - The Agile Model prioritizes flexibility and customer satisfaction, incorporating incremental software development.
