Coding Standards Document Example

Purpose: This document defines the coding standards and best practices to be followed by all developers to ensure consistent, high-quality code across the project.

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1. General Guidelines

• Readability: Code should be easy to read and understand. Use meaningful names, maintain proper indentation, and write clear comments where necessary.
• Self-Documenting Code: Prefer writing self-explanatory code rather than relying heavily on comments. Comments should explain why a decision was made, not what the code is doing if it is self-explanatory.
• Single Responsibility: Each class and function should have a single responsibility. Avoid mixing concerns in one module or method.
• DRY Principle: Do not repeat yourself. Reuse existing code whenever possible by creating utility functions or using shared libraries.
• KISS Principle: Keep it simple and straightforward. Avoid over-engineering or unnecessary complexity.

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2. Naming Conventions

• Variables and Methods: Use camelCase (e.g., calculateTotal, userName). Names should be descriptive and use nouns for variables and verbs for methods.
• Classes and Interfaces: Use PascalCase (e.g., OrderManager, UserProfile).
• Constants: Use UPPER_CASE with underscores (e.g., MAX_RETRY_COUNT, DEFAULT_TIMEOUT).
• Files and Directories: Use snake_case for file and directory names (e.g., order_manager.js, user_service).

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3. Formatting

• Indentation: Use 4 spaces per indentation level. Do not use tabs.
• Line Length: Limit lines to 100 characters where possible.
• Braces: Use the K&R (Kernighan and Ritchie) style for braces:javascriptCopy codeif (condition) { // code block } else { // code block }
• Whitespace:
  • Use a single space between keywords and parentheses (if (condition)).
  • Separate logical sections of code with one blank line for readability.
• Trailing Whitespace: Remove any trailing whitespace at the end of lines.

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4. Error Handling

• Exceptions: Use exceptions for handling errors and ensure they are properly caught and logged.
• Validation: Validate inputs to functions and classes to prevent invalid data from causing issues.
• Graceful Degradation: Ensure the application degrades gracefully if an unexpected error occurs, providing meaningful feedback to the user.

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5. Comments and Documentation

• Inline Comments: Use inline comments sparingly to explain non-obvious code. Prefer documenting the why rather than the how.
• Function Documentation: Use JSDoc (or the appropriate documentation standard for your language) for public functions and classes.

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6. Coding Practices

• Immutability: Prefer immutability where possible. Use const for variables that do not change.
• Avoid Global Variables: Minimize the use of global variables. Encapsulate variables within appropriate classes or modules.
• Error Handling: Always handle errors gracefully and avoid exposing stack traces in production.
• Code Organization: Organize code into modules or packages logically, grouping related functionalities together.

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7. Testing

• Unit Tests: Write unit tests for all new code. Tests should be clear and cover edge cases.
• Integration Tests: Ensure integration points with external systems are thoroughly tested.
• Code Coverage: Aim for at least 80% code coverage. Do not sacrifice code quality to meet coverage targets.

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8. Language-Specific Guidelines

JavaScript

• Use === instead of ==: Always use strict equality to avoid unexpected type coercion.
• Arrow Functions: Use arrow functions for anonymous functions when appropriate.
• Async/Await: Prefer async/await over .then() for readability.

Python

• PEP 8: Follow PEP 8 guidelines for Python code.
• Imports: Organize imports into three sections: standard libraries, third-party libraries, and local modules. Use absolute imports when possible.
• Type Annotations: Use type annotations for function signatures where appropriate.

Java

• Access Modifiers: Use the least restrictive access level (e.g., private instead of public where possible).
• Final: Use the final keyword for variables that should not be reassigned.
• Annotations: Use annotations (e.g., @Override, @Deprecated) for better code readability and documentation.

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9. Automated Tools

• Linters: Use tools like ESLint (JavaScript), Pylint (Python), or Checkstyle (Java) to enforce coding standards.
• Formatters: Use automatic formatters (e.g., Prettier, Black, or Google Java Format) to maintain consistent code style.
• CI/CD Integration: Ensure code quality checks are part of the CI/CD pipeline, including static analysis and automated testing.

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This Coding Standards Document should be reviewed and updated periodically to align with evolving best practices and project requirements.