Writing code is a lot like telling a story. If it’s too complex, it confuses the reader. If it’s too slow, it loses them.
It’s not enough for code to just work — it should also be easy to read, understand, and maintain. As Martin Fowler puts it: "Anyone can write code a machine can run. Great developers write code that people can read and understand."
In this blog, I’ll share what clean code really means, why it matters, and a few simple practices that can make your code more readable, reliable, and human-friendly.
What is a Clean Code
Clean code is a term used to refer to code that is easy to read, understand, and maintain. Clean code isn’t just about making your program run — it’s about writing code that others (and your future self) can easily understand and work with. The goal is to build software that’s not only functional but also readable, maintainable, and efficient over time. Clean code makes collaboration easier, reduces bugs, and saves time during updates or debugging.
Tools like Codacy can also help you write clean, secure code by catching issues early and encouraging best practices as you build.
Why Clean Code Matters
With AI tools like GitHub Copilot and fast-changing business needs, you might wonder — does clean code still matter? I believe it does, now more than ever. Here’s why:
1. Readability
Clean code is easy to follow — for you, your teammates, and even AI tools. It helps you build features faster because you’re not wasting time figuring out what something does.
2. Maintainability
Even if a project isn’t actively growing, it still needs updates — security fixes, dependency upgrades, etc. Clean code makes these changes easier and less risky.
3. Easier Debugging
When code is simple and well-organized, it’s easier to find bugs or refactor without breaking things.
4. Better Collaboration
In a team, most code is shared. Clean code helps everyone understand what’s going on and makes working together smoother.
In short, clean code isn’t just about writing “perfect” code — it’s about making your life (and your team’s) easier down the road.
Key Principles of Clean Code
Knowing why clean code matters is one thing — actually writing it is another. Writing clean code is about taking certain guiding principles into consideration when programming. It takes a few simple habits, applied again and again. These aren’t just “rules” — they’re lessons developers (including me) learn over time, often the hard way. Getting these right can really level up how you write and work as a team.
1. Keep It Simple
Complex code slows everyone down. Every extra layer or clever shortcut adds confusion — even for your future self. Before you add something, ask: Is there a simpler way? Could this function or class do less? Sometimes, trying to be “too smart” — like adding caching before it's needed — just creates more bugs and wasted time. Simple is usually better.
2. DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) Principle
Repeating the same code in multiple places might feel quick, but it creates trouble later. If you update one copy and forget the others, bugs and confusion follow. A small fix can suddenly turn into a big mess.
Try to keep shared logic in one place and reuse it. It keeps your code cleaner, faster to update, and way less error-prone.
3. Build Only What You Need
It’s easy to overthink and build for problems that don’t exist yet. But most of those “future needs” never actually happen. Focus on what’s needed right now. Extra features and complex setups often just slow you down — and many end up unused anyway.
4. Keep Code Expressive
Keeping the code expressive includes structure, method names, and overall design which should be easy to understand to the reader what the code is doing. Comments are rarely used if the code is clear.
5. Readability over conciseness
Code should work for machines — but it’s written for people. If others (or even you later) can’t understand it, it’s not helpful.
Readable code matters more than short or “smart” code. A clear variable name is better than a clever one-liner that no one gets.
Eight Simple Tips for Writing Clean Code
1. Keep it predictable
Your code should do what people expect. If something behaves in a surprising way, it might be time to rethink it. For example, an email service shouldn’t suddenly change order statuses.
2. Use clear and consistent language
Stick to common terms used in your team or business. Avoid fancy words or synonyms. Be consistent — use the same word for the same thing every time.
3. Less is better
Try not to overload your code with too many things at once. Aim for simplicity — fewer variables, fewer moving parts. It’s easier to understand and work with.
4. Remove dead code
If code isn’t being used, delete it. Leaving it behind can confuse others — they might think it’s important when it’s not.
5. Lead by example
If you take shortcuts, others will too. Stick to clean code practices and help set the standard for your team.
6. Have a review process
Set a clear code review process that grows with your team. Use automated tools to catch style issues and let human reviewers focus on bigger-picture feedback.
7. Write automated tests
Tests help keep your code reliable. They make it easier to refactor and catch bugs — and clean tests follow the same clean code principles.
8. It’s okay to break the rules — sometimes
There are rare cases where bending the rules makes sense. Just make sure it’s for a good reason and not a habit.
Tools That Help You Write Clean Code
Clean, organized code is easier to read, fix, and work on as a team. The good news is — there are plenty of free tools that help you write better code. Whether you’re using JavaScript, Python, or any other language, these tools can format your code, catch issues early, and save you a lot of time. At first, it may not seem like a big deal — but how you write code says a lot about you as a developer. Just like behavior shows our values in real life, clean code reflects your habits, discipline, and mindset in software development.
As a developer, your code is your craft — so why not make it clean and presentable? I like to think of code like poetry. You wouldn’t share a messy poem, right?
Just like good writing, clean code has structure and flow. Before it’s out in the world, it deserves a little polish. Here are some tools:
- Prettier - Automatically formats your code for better readability.
- ESLint - Catches common errors and enforces best practices in JavaScript/TypeScript.
- TypeScript - Adds type safety, making your code easier to understand and debug.
- Codacy - Reviews your code for style, security, and quality issues.
- CodeRabbit - AI-powered tool that gives smart code review suggestions.
Conclusion
Clean code isn’t a one-time thing — it’s an ongoing habit, especially when working with a team.
At the end of the day, clean code is about more than just making things work. It’s about making your code readable, maintainable, and easy to improve. That means writing meaningful names, keeping functions focused, using comments wisely, and formatting things consistently.
Software is everywhere now — and code is one of our biggest assets. So it makes sense to treat it with care. Build it clean from the start, and keep it clean as you go. Your future self (and your teammates) will thank you.