Coding standards, or coding conventions, are sets of rules or guidelines designed to govern the process of code production in a software project. They're usually based on industry best practices or generally accepted conventions. They include naming conventions, style, prohibited features, and more.
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votes
1answer
45 views
Qualify class name when calling static members from within the cass? [duplicate]
When I'm writing code, I prefer to be explicit with where things are coming from:
public class MyClass {
private int someMember;
private void doSomething() {
this.someMember = ...
0
votes
4answers
88 views
What is the Pythonic convention for working with an object similar to an existing variable? [on hold]
I often have an object, like a list or a dictionary, that I want a variation on. I might want a list with each element changed somehow (perhaps with a list comprehension, or could be a complicated ...
16
votes
7answers
1k views
Writing comments for some small code with rather large background [duplicate]
So I had to write some code related to splitting Bezier curves into parts. I read through several references and particularly referred this rather detailed one.
The final code outcome is however ...
1
vote
1answer
50 views
When should I use static functions and when should I use non-static ones? [closed]
Sometimes, when I'm programming, I have to decide between adding a static method to a class that accepts an instance (or more) of that class or adding a non-static method. Here's an example:
Static
...
0
votes
0answers
46 views
How To Better Manage Expectations on Iterations in Software Dev [duplicate]
This question is inspired by a current problem I having with a client I am consulting through.
A few months ago we were working on a project for a big construction firm. I was working on an hourly ...
1
vote
1answer
135 views
Lines of code that take on too much responsibility [closed]
Intuitively, I know that (in terms of a maintainable, understandable codebase) the following code is bad practice
var foo = fooFunc(barFunc(),wooFunc(chewFunc()));
and might be better stated as
...
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votes
2answers
106 views
How to reference one object with two interfaces? [duplicate]
Suppose I have two interfaces I and J that is implemented by Test class. Now I need one object of class Test that is referenced by I and J both interfaces. I can do it by singleton design pattern. But ...
0
votes
1answer
238 views
Is writing code chronologically the best way for readability? [closed]
So I've been writing a lot of JavaScript lately. Despite what many people say I think JavaScript can be a simple and beautiful language.
What I've pondered of late is how to structure the code so it ...
7
votes
1answer
166 views
Do we need to validate entire module usage or just arguments of public methods?
I've heard that it is recommended to validate arguments of public methods:
Should one check for null if he does not expect null?
Should a method validate its parameters?
MSDN - CA1062: Validate ...
6
votes
2answers
790 views
Is there a standard way to indicate that a function returns a new pointer?
Sometimes I want to delegate the construction of objects that a class owns to a separate function. Something like
Vertex* new_vertex(const Options& options) {
// do stuff...
return new ...
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votes
2answers
81 views
In HTML and CSS what are the standard tab sizes? [closed]
I searched on Google but couldn't find an answer. I'd like to know what are the standard tab sizes for HTML and CSS. Is it 2 or 4?
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votes
1answer
98 views
Java - Best way to set properties of an object [closed]
I don't know if there is any difference in performance, or its just a matter of choice, but I am a perfectionist like that, and I'd like to know.
Lets say you have the object HolySheet. You can set ...
1
vote
2answers
102 views
Naming convention for getting the primitive backing a type? [closed]
I have a class that is backed by a double value, and I am wondering about accessor method names that preserve abstraction. Based on my experience in Java, there seems to be at least two precedents:
...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Modern frameworks method conventions
I've been noticing that modern frameworks tend to have this kind of code style:
expect(6 - 4).toBe(2)
this can be rephrased as: assert(6-4, 2)
Yet the former is much more readable.
I would like to ...
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votes
2answers
48 views
If I #include a file, do I need to have a valid path to any headers #included in the included file [closed]
For example, if I have created a library, libcommon, which uses some other custom, but widely used library in a specific field (some_other), like this:
libcommon.h
#ifndef LIBCOMMON_H
#define ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Defensive Programming - “Return” placement [duplicate]
Sometimes I see myself writing code in the following way:
if(value == null) return null;
//... I will have here as many defensive conditions (and returns) as I need
//... Continue to execute method ...
1
vote
1answer
213 views
Is it good programming practice to create files with no extension? [closed]
I often store data in external files when Python coding.
Should I always save them with an extension - i.e. .txt?
Is there any reason not to (other than saving bytes) to not give the extension? I ...
7
votes
4answers
864 views
Is the use of one-letter variables encouraged? [closed]
Is the use of one-letter variables encouraged in Java? In code snippets or tutorials, you often see them. I cannot imagine using them is encouraged because it makes the code relatively harder to read ...
1
vote
4answers
92 views
Use the company style guide or try to match the incorrect source files? [duplicate]
I'm currently working on a large project in C++. The style guide for this language has been well defined by my company and is available for everyone to see. This particular code-base is being ...
0
votes
2answers
91 views
Getters with data conversion in Java VOs
I am working on a standard Spring application where DAO layer returns entities to service layer and service layer returns VOs to other services and controllers.
In a certain scenario, we have a VO ...
1
vote
1answer
120 views
How bad is it that my index.php in a Zend Framework MVC application mixes definitions and side effects?
I'm introducing some more coding quality standards and checks via a new project - in particular, the PHP-FIG recommendations.
This project using Zend Framework 2, and I have a fairly simple entry ...
0
votes
3answers
83 views
Handling source code table alignment
Sometimes there is need to have tables (big or small) in source code.
ItemType const SomeTable[] = {
// id name min max
ITEM( 3, "Foo", 70, 180),
ITEM(13, "Bar", 30, 50),
...
1
vote
1answer
85 views
Objective-c anonymous property coding style
If I have an interface defined like
@interface MyClass
@property (nonatomic, copy, readonly) NSString *myString;
@end
so that myString is externally visible but can't be written, what would be ...
3
votes
3answers
389 views
No exceptions C++ and partially constructed objects
Looking over Joint Strike Fighter Air Vehicle C++ Coding Standard, rule AV 73 states something on the lines: Default c++ constructors should be avoided if that means leaving object in a partially ...
0
votes
2answers
44 views
SQL - for some attributes specific to different clients' users, how to handle schema?
I have clients, each of whom have an app with a bunch of users.
Their user data could be pretty different, but there is also a lot of overlap. Ex: all their users have "gender" and "age" and plenty ...
1
vote
3answers
171 views
Are project naming conventions more important than language naming conventions? [closed]
I'm working on a project with a senior developer and he doesn't really abide by the naming conventions of the language that we're using. The project is in Go and he uses underscores for everything. ...
0
votes
7answers
211 views
In ifs inside for loops, prefer checking for true, or for false and continue?
I'm discussing this with a work colleague.
Say we want to sum the numbers from 0 to 9 skipping 5.
He prefers this:
int sum = 0;
for(int i = 0; i < 10; ++i)
{
if(i == 5)
{
continue;
...
2
votes
1answer
238 views
Reducing the complexity of over-designed code
I have just started working at a company where I have inherited a C# codebase from a previous developer. I know programming well, have an engineering degree + an (unfinished, several year long) PhD ...
0
votes
0answers
72 views
Is there any necessity to pass a variable parameter to a method while the variable declared global? [duplicate]
I am writing a class in java of Monte-Carlo algorithm. Here is the written code -
public class MonteCarlo {
int[][] matrix;
public void monteCarlo(List<Node> nodeList) {
matrix ...
2
votes
2answers
106 views
Typedefs to convey relations between classes
I'm wondering if the following use of typedefs is any good practice, or if there are any downsides to it.
Basically I have alot of "data"-structs, which are intended to be used in (globally unique) ...
2
votes
3answers
276 views
Why should a HashMap be used(in functions) to determine which value to return(for a key) when an if else construct can do the job in better time?
While I was recently working at a big company, I noticed that the programmers there followed this coding style:
Suppose I have a function that returns 12 if the input is A, 21 if the input is B, and ...
1
vote
2answers
754 views
How should I compare two database tables - with SQL or using Java? [closed]
I have two tables with different structure. I should compare ID from 1st table with ID of the intermediate table and then comapre TXT field of the intermediate table with TXT field of the 2nd table.
...
1
vote
6answers
619 views
What to use instead of IDs in selectors in CSS
I recently installed a csslint package for my Atom text editor. I keep getting warnings saying "Don't use IDs in selectors." I found this weird since I've always been using IDs in selectors in CSS, ...
0
votes
1answer
136 views
Where does the Liskov Substitution Principle generally lie in different constructor parameter lists?
There are two other questions I've posted that dealt with specific cases of this:
Where does the Liskov Substitution Principle lie in a subclass passing extra arguments to similar, tightly-related ...
3
votes
4answers
583 views
Are `switch` statements generally used wrong? [closed]
I see most developers using switch statements with breaks in each and every case. Is this usage of switch statements inappropriate since a simple set of if-else statements would suffice?
Is it OK for ...
0
votes
2answers
50 views
Capitalizing custom methods in a SDK based project [closed]
In projects which need heavy SDK usage, like Android and iOS development, I want the methods/functions I write to be obvious and since the whole framework is written with lower case method names I ...
2
votes
2answers
350 views
Should we refactor our existing codebase to use functional programming, especially streams? [closed]
We have a large project written in PHP. It almost exclusively uses imperative operations, as in example 1. Should we refactor our existing code to use functional operations? Do you think that the code ...
2
votes
2answers
167 views
Is embedding data in a executable considered a good practice?
Embedding data (such as images) in a executable seems to have a few advantages, like easier distribution of the executable and easier compatibility with different OSes.
But, is it a good practice? ...
3
votes
3answers
213 views
Easy way to make old javascript files conform to new quoting standard?
We've just started putting linting in place at my workplace, and a lot of the devs didn't realize our standards called for double-quotes everywhere. About 50% of the codebase uses single-quotes, so ...
0
votes
1answer
160 views
What do you call classes that do arbitrary work in your project? [closed]
I work on a lot of projects with different teams. Every project has its own conventions, including what to call arbitrary classes that don't lend themselves to obvious names.
As a counter-example, ...
0
votes
1answer
250 views
What are the key areas to evaluate software (codebase) on? [closed]
I have been asked to do a code review of about 50 applications over a period of 6 weeks. (Management has changed and the new CTO asked for an full internal software audit)
I am wondering, what are ...
3
votes
2answers
171 views
Are there any widely accepted sets of standards/practices for secure coding? [closed]
The title should be fairly self-explanatory.
We need to update our coding standards, and as part of this process we've been asked to try and follow an industry standard from a ...
5
votes
1answer
316 views
Why is the use of JavaScript in HREF attributes discouraged?
Disclaimer: I came to Programmers.SE to ask this question because I understand this is the place to ask this type of question, and not necessarily stackoverflow. If I am wrong, please close the ...
2
votes
3answers
448 views
Should one value simpler code over performance when returning multiple values?
I'm too often facing situations where I need to get several types of information from a method. I usually think long and hard to circumvent these situations but I'm thinking it's pointless work that ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Project directory structure
Actually i'm using this project directory structure http://framework.zend.com/manual/1.12/en/project-structure.project.html
But recently i started using namespaces in all my php-classes like:
...
0
votes
2answers
342 views
C Linked List Implementation Pointer vs. Pointer-to-Pointer Consistency
To get some practice in C, I'm writing some basic functions for operating on a linked list of ints. I started out with functions that accepted as a "list" a pointer to the head node. Now, I find ...
0
votes
1answer
131 views
Method Parameters Ordering [closed]
I was recently changing a method to add in an additional parameter, and I couldn't help but wonder if there were "best practices" or "generally accepted rules" in deciding what order parameters of a ...
1
vote
1answer
156 views
Is there a particular coding standard with comments between function name and body?
I'm integrating with a shipping API built in php.
They have a strange coding standard where the comments are between the function name and the first curly bracket.. which - subjectively - makes the ...
0
votes
1answer
67 views
How to format Android view IDs
I struggle with this every time I work on a project. I am not entirely sure what the standard conventions are for creating view ids. I usually use something like
view_more_button
but then if we ...
16
votes
16answers
1k views
Do else blocks increase code complexity? [closed]
Here is a very simplified example. This isn't necessarily a language-specific question, and I ask that you ignore the many other ways the function can be written, and changes that can be made to it.. ...
