5 Best Practices For Code Review

Software Development Process refers to implementing the design and operations of software,
this process takes place which ultimately delivers the best product. Do several questions arise
after this process like whether the code is secure? Is it well-designed? Is the code free of
error? As per the survey, on average programmers make a mistake once at every five
lines of the code. To rectify these bugs Code Review comes into the picture. Reviewing a
code typically means checking whether the code passes the test cases, has bugs, repeated
lines, and various possible errors which could reduce the efficiency and quality of the
software. Reviews can be good and bad as well. Good ones lead to more usage, growth, and
popularity of the software whereas bad ones degrade the quality of software.

In this blog, we will discuss the 5 steps to a complete review code. So let’s get started.
1. Split the Code into Sections

For web development, several files and folders are incorporated. All the files contain
thousands of lines of code. When you start reviewing them, this might look dense and
confusing. So, the first step of code review must be splitting the code into sections. This will
make a clear understanding of the code flow.

Suppose, there are 9 folders and each folder contains 5 files. Divide them into sections. Set a
goal to review at least 5 files of the first folder in n no of days and once you complete
reviewing it, go for the next folder. Like this, when you assign yourself a task for some time,
you’ll get sufficient time to review, and thus, you’ll not feel bored or disinterested.

2. Ask Fellow Developers to Review

This is the second step of the code review process. You must seek advice or help from fellow
developers as everyone’s contribution is equally important. Experienced ones can identify the
mistakes within a second and rectify them but the young minds come up with more simple
ways to implement a task. So, ask your juniors as they have the curiosity to learn more. To
make it perfect, they find other ways which will benefit in two ways –

a) They’ll get deeper knowledge.

b) Solution can be more precise.

The below quote states the best outcome of teamwork. Thus, teamwork improves the
performance of software and fosters a positive environment.

“Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much”

– Helen Keller

3. Basic Principles: Naming Conventions, Usage of libraries, Responsiveness

There are some principles and standards to follow while writing code. There has to be
followed to enhance the effectiveness and productivity. Make a note of those principles and
check one-by-one whether they’re followed or not. The below ones describes some of the
standards every developer should follow. You can also check for more.

Naming Conventions: Use standard names for variables to assign values. The name should
be meaningful, pronounceable, sound positive. Before naming, always keep in mind that
whenever anyone reads it, it should be understandable.

Usage of Libraries: A library is a generalized file of code that acts as a resource used by
programs often under software development. To avoid lines of code, we use the library, we
import (call and use) several methods from libraries and use them in our code to reduce
complexity.

Responsiveness: It creates dynamic changes on the website. Do check for the responsiveness
of the website as to whether it works on all devices like mobile phones, tablets, laptops, etc.
This also helps websites get higher search engine results.

4. Check For the Reusability of Code

Functions are reusable blocks of code. A piece of code that does a single task that can be
called whenever required. Avoid repetition of codes. Check if you’ve to repeat code for
different tasks, again and again, so there you can use these functions to reduce the
repeatability of code. This process of using functions maintains the codebase.

For example, if you’re building a website. Several components are made in which basic
functionalities are defined. If a block of code is being repeated so many times, copy that
block of code or function to a file that can be invoked (reused) wherever and whenever
required. This also reduces the complexity level and lengthiness of the codebase.

5. Check Test Cases and Re-Build

This is the final step of the code review process. When you have rectified all the possible
errors while reviewing, check if all the test cases are passed, all the conditions are satisfied.
There are various tests such as functionality, usability, interface, performance, and security
testing.

• Functionality: These tests include working of external and internal links, APIs, test
forms.

• Usability: Checking design, menus, buttons, or links to different pages should be

easily visible and consistent on all web pages.

• Interface: It shows how interactive the website is.

• Performance: It shows the load time of a website, tests if there’s a crash in a website
due to peak load.

• Security: Test unauthorized access to the website.

Once all the test cases are passed, re-build the entire code. After this process is done, go for a
look over the website. Examine all the working like buttons, arrow keys, etc.
Go For a Demo Presentation

When all the steps of the Code Review process stated above are done, go for a demo
presentation. Schedule a flexible meeting and give a presentation to the team demonstrating
the working of the software. Go through the operations of every part of a website. Tell them
about the changes made. Validate your points as to why these changes have been done. See if
all requirements are fulfilled and also the website doesn’t look too bulky. Make sure it is
simple and at the complete working stage.

Things to avoid while reviewing code

1. Don’t take too many files at a time to review.
 2. Don’t go for continuous reviewing, take breaks.

3. So many nested loops.

4. Usage of too many variables.

5. No negative comments to anyone in a team.

6. Don’t make the website look too complex.

Software Testing - Code Review

The developed code for a software needs to be reviewed in order to make it robust. No matter
how experienced a developer is, every piece of code has to be re-checked to produce a world
class software.
What is Code Review?

The code review is a methodical process where a group of developers work together to
analyze and check another developer’s code to detect errors, give suggestions, and confirm if
the developed code is as per the standards. The objective of code review is to enhance the
quality, maintainability, stability, security etc of the software which bring positive results to
the project. Also, the findings from the code review promote sharing knowledge and
learnings among the team members.

Why is Code Review Done?

The code review is done for the reasons listed below −

• It helps to detect errors, defects, issues etc in the code prior to being deployed to
production. Thus a code review helps to fix bugs at the initial phases of software
development life cycle (SDLC).
• It motivates developing clean, maintainable, and effective code. The reviewers pass
feedback and comments so that the code is as per the standards and best practices.

• It implements consistency in coding among all the developers which enables easy
maintenance and understanding of the code base.

• The findings from the code reviews can be shared across teams which propagate
domain knowledge and coding guidelines.

• The code reviewers take partial ownership of the code they review thereby increasing
collective responsibility towards ensuring quality.
• The code reviewers can work together and collaborate to improve the entire review
process which helps in enhancing the overall software quality.
• It can be a part of documentation.

• It is an integral part of ensuring the software quality. By doing code reviews, the team
can confirm if the software meets all the functional and non-functional requirements.
 • It helps to adopt continuous improvement for the team. By following the suggestions,
feedback, and findings from the code review, the team can work up on them, then
gradually improve.

Types of Code Review

The types of code reviews are listed below −

Pull Requests (PR)

In Git, the developers raise a PR to incorporate changes to the code. It should be reviewed
prior to the changes being merged with the base code.

Pair-Programming

It is a type of review in which two developers work on the same computer. One of them
writes the code and the other one reviews it in real time. It is a highly interactive form of code
review.

Over the Shoulder Review

It is the type of review in which one developer in the team is requested to review the code of
another developer by sitting together and going through the code on the computer.

Tool Aided Reviews

It is a type of review conducted by tools like Github, GitLab, BitBucket, Crucible etc.

Email Based Reviews

It is a type of review in which the code changes sent over email for review. The feedback of
the code review is also delivered in email.
Checklist Reviews

It is a type of review in which the reviewers follow the list of checklist items for the review
process.
Ad Hoc Review

It is an informal way of review. A developer may be requested to have a quick look at the
code and provide feedback not formally.

Formal Inspection

It is a type of review in which an already existing process is followed. It is mostly done by an

inspection team and is guided by proper documentation.

How is Code Review Done?

The code review is done by following the processes listed below −
Step 1 − The developers complete the code and create a review request or inform the team
about the same.

Step 2 − Single or multiple code reviewers are selected based on their experiences and skills
to review the code correctly.

Step 3 − The code reviewers have the required tools or IDE that enable them to get hold of
the code, review it and pass the feedback.

Step 4 − The reviewers may follow checklists or guidelines while reviewing the code to
maintain consistency.

Step 5 − The reviewers perform code inspections covering the logical, syntax, performance,
security etc issues so that there is stability, scalability, and good performance in the code.

Step 6 − The reviewers’ comments, feedback, and suggestions are recorded in the review
tools. They should be clear, constructive, and to the point so that the author can easily
understand them.

Step 7 − A detailed discussion between the reviewers and author is done regarding the
expected code changes.

Step 8 − The author incorporates the changes and may have multiple discussions with the
reviewers till all the issues are addressed and resolved in the code.

Step 9 − Once the reviewers are satisfied with the code changes, the code is approved for
merging.

Step 10 − The code is merged using version control tools like Git.

Step 11 − Once the code is merged to the production, it is checked if the new changes in the
code are working fine and they have not impacted any part of the existing code.

Step 12 − This entire code review process is documented for future references. All the
relevant comments, feedback, and suggestions are also included in the documentations.

Advantages of Code Review

The advantages of code review are listed below −

• It enhances the software quality by detecting bugs in the early phases of SDLC.

• It encourages knowledge sharing and learnings among the team members.

• It enforces standards, guidelines and best practices to be followed in the code, making
it consistent and easily maintainable.

• It identifies all the security vulnerabilities in the software.

• It creates an environment of collaboration, transparency and clear communication

among the team members.
 • It gives a culture of collective responsibility and ownership to the software quality
since the reviewers also have partial ownership to the quality of the developed
software.

• It helps to create documentations which are used for future references.

• It helps to determine more scopes of code reusability in the software.

Disadvantages of Code Review

The disadvantages of code review are listed below −

• It may turn out to be a time consuming process for large and complex software
leading to delay in the development process.

• It is subjective in nature as different reviewers may have different opinions,

comments, and feedback on the code.

• Excessive code reviews on small code changes, may lead to delay in the software
development.

• The reviewers may have biases which impact the review process.

• The reviewers and author should agree on all terms and have clear communication
among them.

• It depends on the skill sets of the reviewers. Inexperienced reviewers may miss
important suggestions in the code.

• It may lead to fatigue for the reviewers to go through code of large and complex
software.

Best Practices for Code Review

The best practices for code review are listed below −

• Determine the clear goals and objectives of code review.

• Select the correct reviewers for the code.

• Breakdown the big chunks of code into smaller units and then start the review
process.
• Provide all relevant information in a review request.

• Use the code review tools for the entire process.

• Focus should be on the code quality, stability, scalability, performance etc.

• Review all the security features in the code.

• Test the code after review by actually executing it.

• Constructive, specific, and relevant feedback is to be shared.
• Maintain a positive, collaborative, and healthy relation with the reviewers and author.

• Reviews should be done timely without delaying the software development.

• Document each part of the code review process.

• Share the learnings from the code reviews among the team members.