Clean code is the foundation of a robust, maintainable software project. It’s code that’s easy to understand, modify, and extend. It’s not just about making it work; it’s about making it work well, both now and in the future.

Core Principles for Cleaner Code

1. Meaningful Names: Choose descriptive names for variables, functions, and classes. This makes your code self-documenting. Avoid abbreviations and single-letter variables.

// Good
int customerAge;
function calculateTotalPrice() 

// Avoid
int x; 
function calcTot()

• Functions Should Do One Thing: Each function should have a single responsibility. This keeps them short, focused, and easy to test.

// Good
function validateEmail(email) 
function sendWelcomeEmail(email) 

// Avoid
function registerUserAndSendEmail(email)

• Keep It Short: Limit functions to 8 lines or less, when possible. This improves readability and prevents overly complex logic.

// Good
function calculateAverage(numbers) {
  let sum = 0;
  for (let num of numbers) {
    sum += num;
  }
  return sum / numbers.length;
}

• Comments Are for Clarification: Write clear, concise comments to explain the “why” behind your code, not the “what.”

// Good
// This function calculates the average to avoid division by zero.
function calculateSafeAverage(numbers) { ... }

// Avoid
// Loop through numbers and add them up
function calculateAverage(numbers) { ... }

• Limit Class Size: Keep classes to 100 lines or less. Larger classes become harder to manage. Break them down into smaller, more cohesive units.
• Consistent Formatting: Follow a consistent style guide for indentation, spacing, and naming conventions. This makes your code visually consistent and easier to scan.

Additional Tips

• DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself): Refactor repeated code into reusable functions or modules.
• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling to prevent crashes and unexpected behavior.
• Testing: Write unit tests to verify your code’s correctness and catch regressions.
• Refactoring: Regularly revisit and improve your code to keep it clean and maintainable.

Example: Clean vs. Less Clean Code

// Less Clean
function c(a,b){
    var x=a+b;
    if(x>10){
        return x*2;
    }else{
        return x/2;
    }
}
// Cleaner
function calculateResult(input1, input2) {
  const sum = input1 + input2;
  return (sum > 10) ? sum * 2 : sum / 2;
}