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Code reviews play a crucial role in ensuring software quality, collaboration, and maintaining coding standards. After over a decade of performing code reviews, I can attest to the countless benefits they bring. Code reviews not only help with error detection but also foster knowledge sharing, encourage best practices, and improve overall team communication. If you’re not conducting code reviews yet, it’s time to integrate them into your workflow.
Let’s dive into what makes a good code review and what sets apart a great one.
What Does a Good Code Review Look Like?
A good code review focuses on several key areas:
- Code Clarity: Does the code change make sense? Reviewers should evaluate whether the code is easy to read and understand. A clear title and description, explaining the “why” behind the change, are vital.
- Correctness and Functionality: Does the code do what it’s supposed to? Checking for code correctness and functionality changes ensures that no unintended issues are introduced.
- Test Coverage: Has the author included tests? A thorough review ensures that adequate test coverage exists for the changes made, reducing the risk of future bugs.
- Code Guidelines: Is the code adhering to best practices? Following coding standards is essential for consistency and long-term maintainability.
- Single-Purpose Changes: Are the changes focused? It’s important to review code that is single-purposed, avoiding too many crammed changes in one review.
Going Beyond: What Makes a Better Code Review?
A better code review takes all the qualities of a good review and goes further:
- System Context: It considers how the code change fits into the overall system. Does it impact other parts of the architecture?
- Maintainability: Are the changes easy to maintain over time? Reviewers should assess whether abstractions introduced align well with the current software architecture.
- Simplification: Can complex logic be simplified? Great code reviews often suggest ways to reduce complexity, improve test structure, and eliminate duplication.
Tone and Communication in Code Reviews
The tone of a code review can significantly impact team dynamics and morale. Reviews with a harsh or overly critical tone can create a hostile environment, causing defensiveness and friction. On the other hand, a constructive and positive tone fosters inclusivity and openness to feedback.
The Right Tone for Good Code Reviews
- Ask open-ended questions rather than making strong, opinionated statements.
- Offer alternatives or possible workarounds instead of dictating changes.
- Assume that the author might have reasons for their approach and seek clarification.
Empathy in Better Code Reviews
- Acknowledge the effort put into writing the code. Great code reviews are kind and unassuming.
- Celebrate smart solutions and provide positive feedback.
Approvals and Requesting Changes
In good code reviews, it’s essential to differentiate between approvals and requests for changes:
- Don’t approve changes if there are important open-ended questions or unresolved issues.
- Clearly mark non-blocking comments as “nitpicks” or minor suggestions.
In better reviews, these distinctions are more flexible. Reviewers might allow certain comments to be addressed in a follow-up code change, especially in time-sensitive situations. Quick feedback loops help maintain progress, and reviewers make themselves available for urgent reviews.
Code Reviews for New Team Members
Welcoming new joiners to the team is an essential part of the code review process. Good code reviews treat everyone equally, ensuring the same quality bar regardless of title or tenure. However, better code reviews take extra care with new joiners:
- They go the extra mile to explain coding guidelines and point to helpful resources.
- They use a more positive tone, making the first few code reviews a great learning experience.
Managing Code Reviews Across Timezones
When teams are spread across different locations, cross-timezone code reviews can become challenging. Good code reviews are mindful of timezone differences, ensuring that reviews happen during overlapping working hours.
Better code reviews aim for systemic solutions. For example, if cross-office reviews are frequent, consider breaking dependencies between teams to improve efficiency.
Organizational Support for Better Code Reviews
How a company approaches code reviews reflects its engineering culture. Organizations with good code review practices ensure that all engineers participate in the process, even those working solo. Healthy discussions around code review best practices are encouraged at both team and organizational levels.
Organizations that excel at code reviews establish strict rules where no code makes it to production without thorough review—similar to business logic changes not reaching production without automated tests. These organizations invest in developer productivity, including tooling improvements for efficient code reviews.
In conclusion, code reviews are a powerful tool to improve code quality, foster collaboration, and maintain consistency across teams. By focusing on empathy, maintainability, and open communication, you can transform good code reviews into great ones, helping your team reach its full potential.