How to Simplify Your Life as a Software Developer
A trendier title for this article might be something like “Best Practices in Software Development.” But with “Sustainable Development,” I wanted to highlight the purpose—the why behind caring about the code we leave behind. It’s not just about following a current trend. It’s about creating code that’s pleasant to work with throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.
Well-designed code is easier to extend and adapt to changing conditions. On the flip side, projects with accumulated technical debt make changes difficult and can break other parts of the system. Developers then spend extra time fixing these issues or, worse, slap together a quick workaround that only adds to the technical debt. Over time, this can grind progress to a halt. I believe that well-written code can save much more time on larger projects than hastily written code.
What Makes Code "Clean"?
The question remains: What exactly is clean code? Many have written about this topic from different perspectives, but the definition that has stuck with me comes from The Pragmatic Programmer. Authors David Thomas and Andrew Hunt argue that clean code is code that’s easy to change. That single idea captures most of the key principles developers aim to follow—like DRY, KISS, and SOLID. Let’s explore what separates clean code from messy code, focusing on the ease of making changes.
Good design is easier to change than bad design.
— The Pragmatic Programmer (David Thomas, Andrew Hunt)
Signs of Code That’s Hard to Change
- Variable and function names are unclear or even misleading, comments are outdated.
- The code is cluttered with unmarked and duplicate values, with the same information scattered across different parts of the project. This means changes need to be made in multiple places simultaneously to avoid inconsistent behavior.
- Existing functionalities and components are tightly coupled, making them hard to reuse in new scenarios. As a result, developers are forced to create redundant implementations to achieve the same or similar outcomes.
- Updating one module often requires changes in other dependent modules, whether directly or indirectly. The interfaces between modules are vague and inconsistent.
- Methods and modules rely on global context or make unchecked assumptions that are neither validated nor enforced.
- Functions, classes, and components are overly large and difficult to follow, attempting to handle too many tasks at once.
Characteristics of Code That’s Easy to Change
- The project structure and code are designed with clarity and organization in mind, ensuring developers always know where to find things and where to add new elements. Each module and function has a clear, immediately understandable purpose. Variable, function, and class names are descriptive, accurately reflecting their intent and assumptions. Everything is logically placed close to where it’s used.
- Complex logic is broken into smaller, easy-to-digest pieces with well-defined relationships. Each module or component is responsible for a single, clearly defined task and communicates through a thoughtfully designed, consistent, and well-documented interface that specifies its inputs, outputs, and behavior.
- Functions and methods do exactly what their names imply—no more, no less—avoiding unintended side effects.
- Implementation details are encapsulated in isolated, reusable components that are independent of other modules. Modules reveal only what’s necessary for their intended use.
- All information and constant values in the code have a single, centralized, clearly labeled representation (the “single source of truth”).
How to Write Clean Code
If we agree on what makes code well-designed or poorly designed, how can we maximize the proportion of well-designed code? Even if we know all the popular acronyms and principles, writing clean code can still be a challenge. But some projects thrive even under chaotic conditions. Why?
- The foundation of a sustainable project is a well-thought-out architecture. In essence, architecture is the set of decisions that have long-term, far-reaching impacts on the development process. These include things like choosing between monolithic or microservices architecture, selecting technologies, defining how systems communicate, or establishing team guidelines. These choices are hard to reverse once the project is underway, so it’s worth investing time to make thoughtful, informed decisions upfront.
- Experience also plays a crucial role. Over time, developers learn what works and what doesn’t through exposure to different projects, teams, and technologies. Lessons from one project can often be applied to another, and patterns from one technology can inspire innovative solutions elsewhere. With every experience, our intuition sharpens, and best practices become second nature.
- Modern tools also make a big difference. Linters catch errors early. Formatters ensure code is consistently styled. Refactoring tools simplify structural changes, and automation eliminates repetitive tasks prone to human error. These tools free developers to focus on solving real problems instead of battling minor annoyances. Adjusting tools and environment is also far easier than trying to change human behavior.
- Lastly, team culture is a major factor in clean code. An environment where people feel safe to admit mistakes, propose changes, or ask questions leads to better decision-making. Open communication and knowledge-sharing create a unified approach to solutions. In a culture of trust and collaboration, developers are more willing to take ownership of their work and the team’s shared success.
One practice that works for me is focusing not on how something could be solved but on how it should be solved. While there are countless ways to “get the job done,” far fewer solutions meet the criteria of clean, adaptable code. Finding the right approach might not always be obvious at first, but taking the time to think it through often uncovers better paths—or highlights issues that need addressing before moving forward responsibly.
Write code that bends and doesn’t break.
— The Pragmatic Programmer (David Thomas, Andrew Hunt)
Clean Code at Any Cost?
While I’ve emphasized the importance of clean code, it’s not always realistic to aim for perfection. Real-world development requires balancing ideals with practical constraints. Sometimes rewriting existing code isn’t worth it—whether due to time pressures, third-party dependencies, or the risk involved.
Priorities matter. Critical business logic demands more attention than, say, CSS hierarchy perfection. Even when time is tight, developers can usually choose solutions that are slightly better than the fastest and simplest ones. For this reason, I view clean code as an art as much as a science.
Refactoring is also key. Great design rarely happens on the first try. It evolves through incremental improvements. Refactoring shouldn’t wait until technical debt becomes unbearable; it should be part of the daily workflow.
Don’t live with broken windows.
— The Pragmatic Programmer (David Thomas, Andrew Hunt)
Tomáš Bencko
The author is a frontend developer specializing in React, Vue.js, and TypeScript. He develops modern, scalable frontend solutions while balancing development with the finer points of design. Outside of client work, he’s constantly seeking ways to improve team workflows, experimenting with AI and automation, and bringing fresh ideas to advance projects and inspire colleagues.
