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We all can become better developers. I've been thinking about some tips that would be helpful to accomplish our daily task with increased quality, performance and productivity. I apply them and they seem to work. Some of them may sound obvious, just applied common sense, and maybe similar to some of the eXtreme Programming principles.

1. Do the simplest code possible 
Do the simplest solution, even if it seems so stupid that you won't feel like doing it. If you do the simplest it will provide you with a better maintainability and readability of your code. 

2. Use the simplest technology
Do not try to research a new technology to solve your problem. Use the simplest one you know of. It would be better for you and your team, don't over-architecture your code just to have more of a fashionable environment.

3. Focus on your actual task
Do focus on your current issue. Do not think about possible issues that may appear in the future and of course, do not write code for those possible issues. You only know what's actually happening, so focus on that.

4. Do not write temporary code or it will last forever
If you know how to solve something the right way,just do it. Do not write temporary code to solve it, instead of the real solution. There is a very high risk of keeping that temporary code forever in your app.

5. Invest time to think about the best technology and approach to use
Think. Think. Think. Think about what you know, possible technologies, possible approaches to the problem. Talk to those who are most familiar with the problem and technology and ask for their opinions. Once you have it as clear as water, go and implement your code.

6. Apply design patterns and good OOP principles
There are proven solutions for known problems, why not apply them?? Don't reinvent the wheel, just use Design Patterns and apply good principles of Object Oriented Programming.

7. Write semantic code
Your code must talk by itself. Try to not over comment your code, and make your code as simple as possible, to be followed by anyone without having to read any documentation. 

8. Do not be afraid of saying "I don't know"
We can't know everything. If you don't know how to solve a problem, just say it. Talk to your peers about it and they may help you to solve your issue. You won't be worse than others if you don't know how to code every algorithm available - we are developers, not memory chips.

 

What you think? Are they useful? Any tips missing?

posted on Wednesday, February 08, 2006 5:37 PM

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