Professional coding tips
Want cleaner code and fewer late-night emergencies? These are practical tips I use every week to write better code faster. They work whether you do web apps, data scripts, or AI models.
Start with a solid project template. A simple folder layout, a clear README, and a preconfigured linter save hours later. I keep a private template repo that includes CI, test setup, and a deploy script — copy it when a new project starts.
Use meaningful names. Pick function and variable names that explain what they do, not how they do it. When names are clear you read code instead of decoding it.
Write small, testable functions. If a function is longer than a screen, split it. Small units are easier to test, review, and debug.
Automate repetitive tasks. Run linters and formatters on save, use pre-commit hooks, and add simple scripts for common jobs like database resets. Automation reduces human errors.
Commit often with clear messages. Small commits mean easier rollbacks and faster code reviews. Tell what changed and why, not just 'fix'.
Code reviews are non-negotiable. Ask for reviews early and keep them under 200 lines per request. Quick focused reviews catch design issues before they cost time.
Quick tools and habits
Use short code snippets and editor templates. Learn your editor’s shortcuts; you save minutes that add up daily. I rely on snippets for common patterns and a REPL when prototyping.
Log smartly. Log the why, not the what. Include context like IDs and state. When a bug appears, good logs point you to the problem fast.
Profile before optimizing. Measure where time goes, then fix the hot spots. Guessing wastes work.
Debugging and speed hacks
Reproduce bugs reliably. If you can reproduce a bug in a minimal case, you can write a test to lock it down. Tests stop regressions.
Use a binary search on changes to find the commit that introduced a bug. Bisect tools are lifesavers.
Practice pair programming and rubber ducking. Talking through code exposes wrong assumptions faster than solo tinkering.
Keep a one-page design doc for tricky features. A short doc saves confusing chat threads and helps reviewers understand trade-offs.
Learn to use AI sensibly. AI assistants help boilerplate and suggest tests, but always verify output and prefer explicit unit tests.
Spend time on readable tests and reliable CI. If your tests flake, nobody trusts them, and bugs slip through.
Finally, schedule focused blocks for deep work. Shallow tasks are fine in short bursts, but real progress needs long stretches without interruptions.
Pick one habit, practice it for a month, then add another. Small steady improvements beat radical changes that burn you out.
Treat dependencies like cargo: pin versions, run audits, and update in small batches. A single careless upgrade can break production. Automate dependency checks in CI and test the upgrade in a staging environment before release.
Monitor real user errors and set alerts for spikes. Post-deploy checklists and quick rollbacks save reputations and sleep.
Read other people's code daily.
