A few weeks back, I was exploring about java coding standards when I got a call from my friend Brian who was completely messed up with his Software code written then I personally as a good friend reviewed it but unfortunately his code was not in a condition to be improved since it was barely readable.
Imagine lines of code crammed together, with inconsistent indentation and variable names like tempVar1 and dataX. Also, the code was full of improper indentations almost no comments and hard coding all around.
With inconsistent formatting and cryptic variable names. Just looking at it made my head spin.
That’s where the Java language coding standards came into my mind and I expressed it to Brian. We worked to format the same code, Although it took some time, but the result was worth it. We got a fresh, well maintained, well furnished code which was easily human-readable. Brian and his clients were happy, and so do I.
This was a short explanation on how Java language coding standards could help anyone in their way to get rid of their messy and hard code.
The Importance of coding Standards
Imagine building a very large skyscraper, and you employed 500 engineers to build it, but each have different blueprints and construction methods. What do you think will this lead to? Chaos, right?
Similarly in programming, not maintaining good coding standards in software programs lead to bugs, inconsistencies and maintenance nightmares. Java is a perfect language that maintains coding standards in a unified manner which ensures developers to write clean, consistent and readable code.
Benefits of sticking to Java Coding Standards
Fewer bugs more cleanliness: Standardized coding practices helps in identifying and avoiding common coding mistakes resulting in almost no bugs and with a clean readable code.
Improved Maintainability:
Since the code is more readable by every programmer working in the workspace, it is easy to maintain and change every aspect of the code very easily. Consider using more comments and using variable naming formats in camel case to make it more enthusiastic when the team is collaborating on existing codebases.
Increased code reusability:
Standardized code structures make it a lot easier to reuse code components in different parts of the application, which could eventually lead to saving development in time and effort.
Improved Code Reviews:
Consistent code formatting with standardized code allows developers to focus on the logic and functionality, dueling code reviews.
Popular Java coding standards in 2024:
1. Google Java Style Guide
One of the most widely adopted style guides in the world. It focuses on maintainability, readability and aesthetics of java code.
As you might be knowing, Oracle is the official parent company of Java language right now and this is their official guidelines from oracle. Focusing on clarity, consistency and best practices in Java development.
3. Check style
Check style is a tool to help programmers to write clean and readable Java code that adheres to a coding standard. It automates the process of checking Java code and makes the code a lot easier to expressed in the main project
4. PMD
Static code analysis tool that enforce coding standards, helping developers to identify and adhere to chosen conventions in their code
Leverage Code Formatting Tools:
Don’t waste time manually formatting your code! Utilize tools like:
5. Eclipse JDT:
If you use Eclipse as your IDE (Integrated Development Environment), the built-in Java Development Tools (JDT) plugin can automatically format your code according to chosen standards.
6. IntelliJ IDEA:
This popular IDE offers built-in formatting features that can be customized to adhere to specific coding styles.
Standalone Formatters:
Tools like JS Flow or Google Java Formatter can be used as standalone applications to format your code before compiling or committing to a version control system.
By following these steps and fostering a culture of adherence to Java coding standards, you can write cleaner, more maintainable code, improve your development workflow, and ultimately, contribute to building high-quality software.
Beyond the Standards: Considerations for Modern day Development:
Adapting new Practices:
While practicing these standards are important, they should be adaptable to a specific type of project needs and team preferences. The key to being adaptable is to have open discussion with your college friends and kin programmers
Code Automation:
Use specific tools like code formatters, text editors with AI, black box and linters to automate repetitive tasks related to code formatting and adherence to standards.
Testing and Continuous Integration:
Regular testing practices and continuous updating of the code with integration pipelines further ensure code quality goes beyond standard compliance.
Conclusion
By sticking to well-defined Java coding standards, developers can significantly contribute to building high-quality, maintainable, and robust software in 2024. Remember, consistent code not only benefits developers but also leads to a smoother user experience for the end product. So, embrace the power of coding standards and watch your Java projects reach new heights of quality
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