Enhancing Code Readability: 4 Essential Formatting Techniques
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Code Formatting
As a developer, do you adhere to specific formatting guidelines? While these may seem superfluous at first glance, they play a crucial role in ensuring your project appears organized and easy to read. Here are some effective formatting strategies, as articulated by Robert C. Martin.
Section 1.1: Structure Your Code Like an Article
Your code should be structured similarly to a newspaper article, starting with broad topics before delving into specifics. This means that in a class, your public methods should be positioned at the top, serving as high-level summaries, while the private methods that perform the detailed tasks should follow below. This top-to-bottom layout enhances readability.
Section 1.2: Emphasizing Vertical Formatting
Ensure that your files are not excessively lengthy. Think back to the newspaper analogy—would you enjoy reading an article that stretches for thousands of lines? Similarly, if a class becomes too extensive, it’s a sign that it’s overloaded and should be divided into smaller classes.
Subsection 1.2.1: Examples of Vertical Formatting
Section 1.3: The Significance of Horizontal Formatting
Aim to keep lines of code to a maximum of 120 characters. This guideline originated to avoid horizontal scrolling, but even with larger monitors, overly long lines can hinder readability. Don’t hesitate to break long lines into shorter segments. Consider the following examples:
Example 1:
(false != $this->hasUserLoggedInThePast2Years) ? $loginMessage = 'Welcome back again!' : $loginMessage = 'You have not logged into the system in 2 years!';
Example 2:
(false != $this->hasUserLoggedInThePast2Years)
? $loginMessage = 'Welcome back again!' : $loginMessage = 'You have not logged into the system in 2 years!';
Which one is easier to digest? Both achieve the same outcome, yet one is more readable due to its formatting.
Chapter 2: Team Collaboration on Formatting Guidelines
If you work within a team, it's vital to establish formatting rules and adhere to them consistently. The aforementioned principles are just starting points. Here are other aspects to consider:
- Indentation and spacing conventions
- Naming standards
- Including blank spaces before return statements
- Spacing around parentheses in conditions
The list of potential rules is extensive. Instead of getting bogged down by every detail, it’s essential to agree on a set of formatting standards as a team and maintain consistency. A project lacking clear formatting can quickly become chaotic and hard to navigate.
In this video, titled "4 Tips for Refactoring Your Code for Readability," you will discover practical tips to enhance the readability of your code.
In the video "Make Your Code Easy to Read: Learn How to Format Code for Readers | DZone," gain insights into effective code formatting techniques that promote clarity and understanding.