Coding Standards and Guidelines in Software Engineering:
In the Coding phase or Coding Standards and Guidelines, various modules described in the design document are brought to life using a high-level programming language. The main purpose of this phase is to turn the design plans into actual code, which is then tested in smaller units to ensure it works correctly.
Leading software development companies often have their own coding standards in place. These standards are customized to fit the organization’s needs and the type of software they create. It’s essential for programmers to follow these coding standards to ensure that their code passes the review process. If not, it may face rejection.
Why You Need Coding Standards in Software Development:
- A coding standard ensures a uniform code style for software written by various engineers.
- It enhances code readability, maintainability, and reduces complexity.
- It facilitates code reuse and simplifies error detection.
- It encourages the adoption of good programming practices and boosts programmer efficiency.
Below are a few examples of coding standards:
- Minimizing Global Variables: Best Practices for Cleaner Code
These guidelines outline the permissible data types for global declarations and those that should not be. - Standardizing Module Headers: Elevating Software Quality with Coding Standards
To enhance code comprehension and facilitate maintenance, it’s crucial to establish a standardized format for module headers. This format should encompass the following essential information, commonly employed by various organizations:- Name of the module
- Date of module creation
- Author of the module
- Modification history
- Brief Overview of the Module’s Functionality and Purpose
- A Comprehensive Overview of Module Functions and Their Input-Output Parameters
- Module Interaction with Global Variables in Software Development
- Establishing Naming Conventions for Local Variables, Global Variables, Constants, and Functions
Below are a few examples of naming conventions:- Using clear and meaningful variable names helps to convey their purpose and usage.
- When it comes to naming variables, it’s a good practice to use camel case for local variables, starting with a lowercase letter (e.g., localData). For global variables, begin the name with a capital letter (e.g., GlobalData). Constants, on the other hand, should be in all capital letters (e.g., CONSDATA).
- Using digits in variable names should generally be avoided for better readability.
- Function names are typically written in camel case, commencing with lowercase letters.
- The function’s name should provide a clear and concise description of its purpose.
- Indentation
Improving Code Clarity with Best Practices in Indentation and Spacing. Below are a few examples of spacing conventions:- A space should be included after a comma when separating two function arguments.
- Ensure that each nested block is appropriately indented and spaced for clarity.
- Proper indentation is necessary both at the beginning and end of each program block.
- All curly braces should commence on a new line, and the code following the closing brace should also begin on a new line.
- Effective Error Return Values and Exception Handling Conventions for Software Development
When functions encounter an error condition, they should return either 0 or 1 to simplify debugging.
Additionally, coding guidelines offer general suggestions for coding style to enhance code understandability and readability. Here are some coding guidelines: - Avoid adopting coding styles that are excessively challenging to comprehend
Code should be easy to comprehend, as complex code can lead to challenging and costly maintenance and debugging. - Single-Use Identifiers: A Guideline for Clarity in Coding
Every variable should receive a descriptive and meaningful name that reflects its purpose. This becomes challenging when a single identifier is employed for multiple functions, resulting in reader confusion and increased complications during future updates. - Code must have clear documentation
The code should include appropriate comments to enhance its readability. Comments explaining the statements improve the code’s comprehensibility - Functions should have a moderate or reasonable length
Complex functions can be challenging to comprehend, which is why it is advisable to keep functions concise, handling small tasks individually. If a function becomes lengthy, it should be divided into smaller ones to accomplish specific tasks. - Avoid the utilization of the GOTO statement
The use of the GOTO statement can lead to unstructured code, which in turn diminishes the program’s comprehensibility and makes debugging more challenging.
Coding Standards and Guidlines Examples:
JavaScript:
Coding Standard 1: Variables Naming
// Good naming convention const userName = "JohnDoe"; // Avoid single-letter variable names const u = "JaneSmith"; // Use camelCase for variable names const userAge = 30;
Coding Standard 2 : Indentation
// Use consistent indentation, e.g., 2 or 4 spaces
function greetUser() {
console.log("Hello, world!");
}
CSS:
Guideline 1: Class Naming
/* Use meaningful class names */
.button-primary {
background-color: blue;
color: white;
}
/* Avoid vague or generic class names */
.button {
background-color: gray;
}
Guideline 2: Selector Organization
/* Organize selectors consistently */
.header {
/* styles */
}
.main-content {
/* styles */
}
HTML:
Guideline 1: Proper Document Structure
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My Web Page</title>
</head>
<body>
<header>
<!-- Header content -->
</header>
<main>
<!-- Main content -->
</main>
<footer>
<!-- Footer content -->
</footer>
</body>
</html>
Guideline 2: Commenting
<!-- Add comments for clarity and explanation --> <div class="header"> <h1><!-- Main Heading -->Welcome to My Page</h1> </div>
These are just a few examples of coding standards and guidelines for JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Depending on your project and team, you may have more specific and detailed guidelines to follow.
Benefits of Following Coding Standards and Guidelines:
- Adhering to coding standards and guidelines enhances software efficiency and decreases development time.
- Coding standards and guidelines aid in early error detection, thereby mitigating additional costs associated with software projects.
- Following coding standards and guidelines makes your code easier to read and understand, which in turn simplifies it.
- It cuts down on hidden costs in software development.
Also Read: Coding Excellence: JavaScript Interview Questions for 5+ Years Experience
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