Programming Practices: Style

Software Practices, Programming Style, Productivity, Clean code, software engineering

What you'll learn

Importance of programming style in stable software

Techniques to achieve a productive programming style across team

Considerations to ensure style doesn't become a point of debate among teams and a time sink.

Examples that can be easily mapped to daily production code

Requirements

Basic knowledge of any programming language

Description

This course teaches you the importance of programming practices and style, and how to write clear, maintainable code. You will learn various techniques for naming variables and functions, indentation, formatting, and avoiding common pitfalls in code readability. By the end of the course, you will have a solid understanding of how to write code that is easy to read, understand, and maintain, making you a more effective programmer.Note: The content of this course is also published as part of an in-depth course titled "Programming Practices Bootcamp for production ready coding.”Course Outline:Introduction to Programming Practices and StyleThe importance of nurturing good style in programmingWriting code for humans and letting common sense prevailNaming ConventionsDesired characteristics of variable and function namesType in variable names and use verbs for function namesRemoving ambiguity and maintaining consistencyIndentation and FormattingUtilizing IDEs and configuration files for formattingAligning code for readability and understandingIndentation, expression, and statement writing tipsComments and DocumentationWriting comments for humans and their importanceBalancing valuable comments with code readabilityProper use of comments and avoiding bad practicesCode Readability and ComplexityWriting code in a natural, understandable formAvoiding complex expressions and unnecessary clevernessCaution against side effects and prioritizing ease of understandingControl Structures and Language FeaturesProper use of if-else, switch-case, and other control structuresMacro myths and avoiding multiple evaluationsMagic numbers, constants, and other code readability concernsConsistency and AdaptabilityConsistency over style: when to adapt existing code styleUnderstanding that programming languages are like natural languagesPreserving style within existing codebasesBy the end of this course, you will have developed the skills to write clean, maintainable, and easy-to-understand code, making you a more effective programmer. Enroll now and improve your programming practices and style for a successful career in software development.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction

Section 2: Why does programming style matter?

Lecture 2 Necessity for nurturing good practices

Lecture 3 You write higher level languages for humans

Lecture 4 Let common sense prevail

Section 3: Naming Desired Characteristics

Lecture 5 Introduction

Lecture 6 Be concise

Lecture 7 Informative

Lecture 8 Memorable

Lecture 9 Pronouncable

Lecture 10 Naming and scope

Section 4: Variable Names

Lecture 11 Choosing variable names

Lecture 12 Always avoid using the word "always"

Lecture 13 Rules are local

Lecture 14 Use of type in variable names

Lecture 15 Using as functionality indicator

Lecture 16 Preference of spelling

Lecture 17 Quick Assignment

Lecture 18 Issues in code

Lecture 19 Solution and the fixed code

Section 5: Function naming

Lecture 20 Overview

Lecture 21 Use verbs

Lecture 22 Remove ambiguity

Lecture 23 Example walkthrough

Lecture 24 Solution

Section 6: Indentation

Lecture 25 Introduction

Lecture 26 Use IDE optimally

Lecture 27 Format configuration files

Lecture 28 Formatting as a build step

Lecture 29 Formatting earlier than build

Section 7: Expressions and statments

Lecture 30 Write as you want to read

Lecture 31 Use natural expression

Lecture 32 Parenthesize

Lecture 33 Code Example

Section 8: Complexity in expressions and statements

Lecture 34 Avoid complexity

Lecture 35 Languages trust programmers

Lecture 36 Cost of cleverness

Lecture 37 Abuse of bitwise operators

Lecture 38 Abuse of ternary operators

Lecture 39 Ease of understanding the code is paramount

Lecture 40 Caution against side effects

Section 9: Consistency and Idioms

Lecture 41 Consistency over style

Lecture 42 Arguments are waste of time

Lecture 43 Preserve style

Lecture 44 Natural language perspective

Lecture 45 Conventional approach

Lecture 46 A case for else-if

Lecture 47 Switch case and reality

Section 10: Still using Macros?

Lecture 48 Macro Myths

Lecture 49 Multiple evaluations?

Lecture 50 Parenthesize!

Section 11: Magic numbers

Lecture 51 Introduction

Lecture 52 Constants and magic numbers

Lecture 53 Using character constants

Lecture 54 Computing Array size in C

Section 12: Comments

Lecture 55 Comments are for humans

Lecture 56 Global variables and comments

Lecture 57 Comments and bad code

Lecture 58 Add values not confusion

Section 13: Conclusion

Lecture 59 Closing remarks

Lecture 60 [Bonus lecture]

Beginner developers in any programming language,Computer science students,Software professionals in early stages of their careers,Anyone who has recently learned a programming language and wishes to pursue a career as software developer