10 ways to make your code more maintainable

ways make your code more maintainable
April 11, 2025
3 min read
By Cojocaru David & ChatGPT

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10 Ways to Make Your Code More Maintainable (With Examples)

Writing maintainable code saves time, reduces bugs, and makes collaboration smoother. Whether you’re a solo developer or part of a team, these 10 actionable strategies will help you write cleaner, more scalable code—from naming conventions to version control best practices.

1. Use Descriptive and Meaningful Names

Clear names for variables, functions, and classes act as self-documenting code. Avoid vague terms like data or temp—opt for specificity (e.g., userCartTotal, isAdminEnabled).

Key Tips:

  • Stick to camelCase or snake_case consistently.
  • Prefix booleans with is, has, or can (e.g., isAuthenticated).
  • Avoid obscure abbreviations unless they’re industry-standard.

2. Write Small, Single-Purpose Functions

Functions should do one thing well. If a function exceeds ~20 lines, split it into smaller, reusable units.

Bad Example:

function handleUser(user) {
  // Validate input → Update DB → Send email
}

Better:

function validateUser(user) { ... }
function updateUserDB(user) { ... }
function sendWelcomeEmail(user) { ... }

3. Follow the DRY Principle

Duplicate code breeds bugs. Extract repeated logic into shared functions or modules.

How to Avoid Repetition:

  • Centralize configs (e.g., API endpoints).
  • Use inheritance/composition for shared behavior.
  • Create utilities for common tasks (e.g., date formatting).

4. Comment Strategically

Explain why code exists, not what it does. Avoid redundant comments like // Loop through array.

When to Comment:

  • Complex algorithms (e.g., custom sorting logic).
  • Business rules (e.g., “Discount applied only for VIP users”).
  • Workarounds for legacy systems.

5. Write Unit Tests

Tests prevent regressions and document expected behavior. Focus on critical paths first.

Testing Best Practices:

  • Use Arrange-Act-Assert (AAA) structure.
  • Mock external services (APIs, databases).
  • Integrate tests into CI/CD pipelines.

6. Standardize Code Formatting

Consistency improves readability. Use tools like Prettier or ESLint to automate style rules.

Key Rules:

  • Limit line length to 80–120 characters.
  • Standardize indentation (spaces/tabs).
  • Group related code blocks visually.

7. Refactor Regularly

Technical debt slows progress. Schedule refactoring to:

  • Remove dead code.
  • Simplify nested conditionals.
  • Replace “magic numbers” with named constants.

8. Leverage Design Patterns

Proven patterns solve common problems. Examples:

  • Singleton: Single instance of a class.
  • Factory: Create objects without specifying classes.
  • Observer: Notify dependents of state changes.

9. Document Thoroughly

Onboarding new devs? Clear docs are key. Cover:

  • Setup steps (dependencies, env vars).
  • API usage examples.
  • Dependency versions (e.g., package.json).

10. Master Git Best Practices

Git keeps projects organized. Follow these rules:

  • Write descriptive commit messages (e.g., “Fix login timeout bug”).
  • Use feature branches (not direct main commits).
  • Review PRs before merging.

“Always code as if the guy who ends up maintaining your code will be a violent psychopath who knows where you live.” ― John Woods

#maintainablecode #codingbestpractices #softwaredevelopment