Self documenting code C#
Writing C# computer code that is of high quality requires self-documenting code. It describes code that is simple to read and comprehend without the need for lengthy external comments since it is obvious what it is trying to say just by looking at it. The main thesis is that the best documentation is produced by developing code that is naturally clear and intelligible. The goal of this strategy is to make future maintenance easier and improve readability.
Why is Self-Documenting Code Important?
Readability and Understandability: Good code is simple to read and comprehend, which makes it easier for any programmer including the original author to rapidly understand its functionality and goal.
Maintainability: Such code is simple to extend, change, and maintain. Maintenance and the addition of new features take up a large amount of a program’s effort over time, frequently by developers other than the original authors. Self-documenting code makes this process easier.
Reduces Errors: Modifications are less likely to introduce new mistakes when the code is clear and well-structured.
Efficiency: It increases the value of the software by saving time and effort.
Core Principles of Self-Documenting Code
Writing good code itself is the best approach to document code. This means that instead of just commenting out incorrect code, it should be rewritten. The implementation of self-documenting code is usually as straightforward as feasible for everyone to understand, and it usually has a decent structure.
Key questions to ask to determine if code is self-documenting include:
- Is the name of the class appropriate and does it convey its primary goal?
- Is the class’s public interface easy to use?
- Is the primary goal of a procedure described by its name?
- Is each method carrying out a specific, well-defined task?
- Do the variables’ names reflect how they are intended to be used?
- Do loops carry out a single task?
- Is there deep nesting in conditional statements?
- Does the code’s structure make sense given how it is organised?
- Is the design unmistakable and clear?
- Are implementation specifics kept as secret as possible?
The Role of Comments: Although the goal of self-documenting code is to be unambiguous and free of superfluous comments, comments are still useful. They ought to explain the concept or purpose of the code instead of just restating its actions line by line. Comments may elucidate obscure facts or higher-level intentions. Tools like Visual Studio for IntelliSense can automatically scan the API documentation for classes, methods, and parameters, for instance, which are provided as XML documentation comments (///).
Code Example Illustrating Self-Documenting Code:
Examine the two techniques used in the following example to determine prime numbers inside a range. Their logical structure, adequate indentation, and explicit naming make the goal and flow obvious, which contributes to their self-documenting character.
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
public class PrimeFinder
{
/// <summary>
/// Finds the prime numbers within a specified range [start, end]
/// and returns them as a list.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="start">The lower bound of the range (inclusive).</param>
/// <param name="end">The upper bound of the range (inclusive).</param>
/// <returns>A list containing all prime numbers found in the range.</returns>
public List<int> FindPrimes(int start, int end) // Method name clearly states purpose
{
// Variable name `primesList` clearly indicates its content
List<int> primesList = new List<int>();
// Loop structure is clear, iterating from start to end
for (int num = start; num <= end; num++)
{
// Intermediate variable `isPrime` makes the conditional logic explicit
bool isPrime = IsPrime(num); // Calls another clearly named method
// Conditional statement uses proper indentation and clear condition
if (isPrime)
{
primesList.Add(num); // Action clearly indicates adding to list
}
}
// Return statement clearly indicates what the method provides
return primesList;
}
/// <summary>
/// Checks if a given number is prime by testing for any divisors
/// in the range [2, square root of the number].
/// </summary>
/// <param name="number">The integer number to be checked.</param>
/// <returns>True if the number is prime; otherwise, false.</returns>
public bool IsPrime(int number) // Method name clearly states purpose
{
// Loop iterates through potential divisors up to the square root,
// common optimization for primality tests, making the logic understandable.
for (int div = 2; div <= Math.Sqrt(number); div++)
{
// Checks for divisibility, indicating a non-prime number
if (number % div == 0)
{
return false; // Exits early if a divisor is found
}
}
// If no divisors are found, the number is prime.
return true;
}
public static void Main(string[] args)
{
PrimeFinder finder = new PrimeFinder();
List<int> primes = finder.FindPrimes(1, 20); // Method call is intuitive due to naming
Console.WriteLine("Prime numbers between 1 and 20:");
foreach (int prime in primes) // Variable `prime` clearly indicates content
{
Console.Write(prime + " ");
}
Console.WriteLine();
}
}Output
Prime numbers between 1 and 20:
1 2 3 5 7 11 13 17 19 PrimeFinder, FindPrimes, IsPrime, primesList, num, and div are all names that express their respective functions and contents in this example. The brace placement and indentation adhere to accepted practices, arranging the logical code blocks visually. In loops and conditional statements, the control flow is simple. Without the need for extra, wordy comments that only restate the obvious, a developer can comprehend the functionality with this structure and naming.
You can also read C# Code Layout And Formatting With Specific Formatting Rules