Tips for Writing Clean and Maintainable Code

Introduction

As developers, we often focus on solving problems quickly, which can sometimes lead to messy code. However, writing clean and maintainable code isn’t just about making things look nice—it’s about creating software that’s easier to debug, extend, and share with your team.

In this post, I’ll share 10 practical tips for writing cleaner, more maintainable code, whether you’re working solo or in a team.

1. Name Things Well

Naming is one of the hardest parts of programming, but it’s critical. Choose descriptive variable, function, and class names that clearly communicate their purpose. For example,
calculateTotalPrice() is better than doStuff().

**Pro Tip: **If you’re struggling to name something, rethink its purpose.

2. Keep Functions Small

A function should do one thing and do it well. If your function spans more than 20–30 lines, consider breaking it into smaller functions.
`// Too large and hard to understand
function processOrder(order) {
// process payment, update inventory, and notify user
}

// Better approach
function processOrder(order) {
processPayment(order);
updateInventory(order);
notifyUser(order);
}`

3. Use Meaningful Comments Sparingly

Good code is self-explanatory, but comments can still clarify intent or context. Avoid obvious comments like this:

# This line adds two numbers
result = a + b

4 . Avoid Hardcoding Values

Replace magic numbers or hardcoded values with constants or configuration files.

Example:

// Hardcoded value
if (user.age >= 18) { 
  // do something 
}

// Better approach
const MINIMUM_AGE = 18;
if (user.age >= MINIMUM_AGE) { 
  // do something 
}

5. Refactor Regularly

Refactoring isn’t just a one-time activity. As your project grows, revisit older code to improve readability, remove redundancy, and optimize performance.