Can Source Code Be Understandable? 

Good source code meets two important criteria. First, it is correctly written and achieves the specified end result according to the specification. Second, it is easy for other programmers, aside from its author, to read and append.

Understandable source code that is well-tested facilitates easy refactoring, expansion, and modification of the system. Such code forms a solid base where programmers are not afraid to make changes, and those changes are made quickly.

Writing code is a social activity—it is done by teams of people. The source code written by one programmer does not exist in isolation. It is read and often appended by other programmers. To modify it, they first need to understand it.

What Happens If the Code Is Not Well Written?

Errors in the code are relatively easy to find. However, unreadable and incomprehensible code may go unnoticed for a long time. Until another programmer, trying to fix a bug or add new functionality, encounters it and tries to understand what this source code does before appending it. If they do not understand it correctly and unambiguously, a series of problems will follow. Incomprehensible code might be used for something it was not intended for, and some functionality of the program might stop working.

This starts a pattern leading to an increasing degradation of code quality. The programmer trying to append incomprehensible code loses a lot of time trying to understand how the code works. Instead of making it clearer and easier to read, they make very small changes (to avoid breaking something), and the result is even more incomprehensible code. The next programmer loses even more time trying to understand what the code does, gets frustrated, rewrites the code or rewrites it entirely. Thus, new errors appear or old ones are rewritten. The team’s work slows down, development halts.

What Does Understandable Source Code Mean and How to Achieve It?

Probably every programmer has their answer to this question. For Code Academy and CODIX, this means code that is easy to read and clear, which can be easily appended and modified by other programmers, besides its author. You can achieve this, and we will teach you how.

Principles to Help You Write Understandable Source Code

There are countless principles, but we will stop only at the most basic ones:

  • Single Responsibility. All building blocks of the code—classes, methods, variables—follow the principle of “one element does one single thing.” This way, it is easier for the reader to understand exactly what that thing is. Accordingly, it is clearer, in case of a problem, which part of the code needs to be changed.
  • Good Structure. The code is easy to read if it is logically structured and consistent—with functions, classes, modules.
  • Expressive Names. The names of classes, functions, and variables facilitate reading and understanding the source code. Keep in mind that code with good names is the fruit of much effort by programmers who have devoted a lot of time to achieving them.
  • Simplicity and Specificity. Software is complex enough. The code it is written in must be as simple and specific as possible. Programmers do not use much imagination when writing and look to avoid unnecessary complications. Functions are usually short and easy to read. Classes should not be too large either.
  • Comments Explain “Why,” Not “How.” Most code should be self-explanatory. And comments should only fill in potential gaps.
  • Refactoring. Codebases grow. When a simple class gains more responsibilities, it also grows and becomes more complex. Understandable bases are due to constant refactoring. The new complex class can be split into parts or changed so that it remains easy to read.
  • Well Tested. Well-tested code can be changed easily and without fear that something in it might stop working. Testing with automated tests helps the code stay understandable. Without tests, refactoring becomes very risky, and programmers might stop doing it. With tests, there’s no reason not to make even significant and risky refactorings, thanks to which the code remains understandable and easy to read.

The best check to see if your source code is readable is to show it to other programmers for their opinion. Ask them to share whether they find it clear. Let them ask you questions. If the code is understandable, there will be few or no questions. Pay special attention if you notice that someone has completely misunderstood what you wrote and asks many questions. Every question or ambiguity opens opportunities for you to make your source code more understandable.

If both you and other programmers agree that the source is understandable, then you are on the right path. The principles listed above will help you make your code even more understandable and clear. Focus on making your code clear for you and the people you work with.

There are many sources of information on how to write understandable code and ways to make the code clearer. We recommend this article.

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Daniela has over 6 years of experience as a programmer with various technologies in diverse projects, including installers, replication servers, and cloud services. In recent years, she has been developing Cloud Services using Java and Spring. Daniela loves to teach because it gives her the opportunity, by sharing her knowledge and experience, to help her students start a successful IT career.

Dimitar is a programmer with many years of practice and experience in developing communication systems, software, and databases. He started his career at the Institute of Computer and Communication Systems at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He has participated in international and Bulgarian projects and has conducted exercises at the Technical University of Sofia. He has been involved in the development of billing systems, fiscal devices, VoIP, digital television, pharmacy and warehouse software, games, and many others. Dimitar uses C, C++, Python, Perl, JavaScript, HTML, PHP, PL/SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MS SQL, Delphi. Dimitar is a fountain of technical knowledge. He will support you during the time allocated for self-study, whenever you have a question or a situation you’re not sure how to approach.

Katya has extensive experience in organizing and conducting business training for skills and training trainers. She is a specialist in communication, teamwork, management, and sales. Katya will provide you with valuable guidance on how best to present your work, how to organize and prioritize your tasks, and how to communicate with colleagues effortlessly. These skills are just as key to your successful career as mastering programming technologies.

Stela is a coach with over fifteen years of experience in training and developing personnel at various hierarchical levels. She specializes in training for the formation and improvement of communication skills and team development. With her assistance, you will master the ability to communicate effectively with management and colleagues and ask the right questions. These skills will be extremely beneficial when you embark on your journey as a programmer. Stela is certified as a coach for group psychodynamic training.
Alexander has over 20 years of experience in information technology. He has successfully completed more than 25 projects based on Java, JavaScript, SQL, Pl/SQL, and Python technologies. Currently, he works as a consultant in Quality Assurance and Information Security for leading financial institutions in Europe. He is certified in ISTQB Advanced Level, SCRUM Master, PRINCE2, and ISO27001 ISMS Information Security Lead Auditor.

Anastas is a programmer with over thirty years of practice. He has participated in the development of many projects for telecoms, financial institutions, games, and other business systems. He spent two years of his career as a university lecturer. Today, he prefers to program in C++, but he has extensive experience with Java, Python, C, Pro*C, PL, and PL SQL. For him, every programming language is just another expressive tool that helps him get the job done. Anastas has the ability to convey even the most complex material in an understandable language. For him, there are no secrets in programming, and he will gladly guide you through your first steps in the training.

Valentin is a Java programmer with over 20 years of experience, specializing in Java & SPRING. He has contributed to numerous diverse projects throughout his career. Teaching is one of his greatest passions, and he has successfully guided the course for the profession of Back-end Junior Developer with a Java profile in the first season of CODE ACADEMY. Valentin has earned the affection of students with his genuine style and clear teaching approach.

Elena is a programmer with almost seven years of professional experience. She completed her higher education at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” specializing in “Information Systems” and earning a Bachelor’s degree. During her studies, Elena served as an assistant lecturer for over a year in Programming Fundamentals & OOP in C++. Presently, she is a member of the teaching team for the elective course “Development of Front-End Web” at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” In addition to teaching and programming, design is a passion she enjoys during her free time.

Having worked on numerous projects over the years, Elena is eager to share her knowledge with those who are just embarking on a similar path.

Ivo is a software engineer with over eight years of professional experience. He completed his higher education at the Technical University of Sofia, specializing in “Computer and Software Engineering” and earning a Bachelor’s degree. He has been leading and training teams of programmers for more than 5 years. Ivo has worked on numerous large projects in the fields of Blockchain, Fintech, and Real Estate. Currently, he manages a company that focuses on software development and provides software consulting services. He has a passion for high speeds, and you can often find him at the track, whether racing go-karts or driving his personal car.

Peter is a programmer with over 9 years of experience. He describes himself as an unconventional software engineer. His experience is entirely centered around Python, going through various software projects along his journey. He started working in the sector as a joke during his preparation for a state exam in Finance. Since then, he believes that the most beautiful thing about the programmer’s profession is that you can learn every day and the more you learn, the more you realize that there is still much to learn. Solving business problems through software solutions is what makes him smile every day. He shares that when he received an offer to lead a course at Code Academy, he did not even think about it; he agreed to take on the challenge immediately. “It’s extremely important to accumulate knowledge, but it’s even more important to share it with people who are interested in it.”
Svetlana is a Java and Spring specialist, with additional proficiency in C, C++, VB, JS, HTML, CSS, and SQL languages. She possesses over 5 years of professional experience in developing various projects. “I love teaching because, by assisting young colleagues in enhancing their software development skills, I can better organize and systematize my own knowledge. This way, we grow together!” she says. With over 10 years of experience as a lecturer, she currently leads the Spring Boot module and teaches at TU Sofia, the university where she earned her bachelor’s degree in “Computer Systems and Technologies.”

Stefan is a software architect with over nine years of practical experience as a programmer. He has excellent knowledge of a wide range of technologies, including Java and Spring. Stefan is inspiring and loves teaching, which he has also engaged in as an honored assistant at TU Sofia. In his free time, he reads, swims, and plays computer games. From him, you can draw the entire wellspring of knowledge needed for your career realization.

Yo has over 12 years of experience in project management and team leadership. Among her projects, the Code Academy initiative is undoubtedly her favorite. She considers her encounter with programming and the people who are or want to become programmers as a pivotal moment in her career. Due to the lack of a more suitable comparison, she describes this moment as love at first sight 😊 For her, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the students in the academy achieve their goals of professional realization after completing their training. And she devotes herself wholeheartedly to this cause.

Ani is an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual. She has an economic background, but her passion lies in dynamic work in the field of human resources. She enjoys communicating with awake and educated people, and her goal is to facilitate their entry into the IT sector by encouraging their progress and success. She is the person who will walk alongside you during your training and lend a helping hand when needed. Your success is her mission.

Galia has a background in finance and has had a long-standing friendship with numbers, but she has always been drawn to working with people, and communication is her forte. She has been working with the academy team on various projects for 12 years and sees the Code Academy project as a personal cause. She is inspired by the opportunity to support anyone who wishes to change their life and become a programmer. She is always ready to help with motivation for those who have lost confidence and need a friendly shoulder and support.

Vanya is a mentor in our program. She has been working as a programmer for three years with Java + Spring, Golang, TypeScript + Angular. Passing on her knowledge to newcomers in the field is her calling. In her free time, she reads books and helps homeless animals. She has three adopted dogs. Vanya will always be there for you to help you successfully deal with the bugs in the code you write.

Nadezhda is one of the babies of Code Academy. She is a graduate of one of our first groups and now she is already a mid-level developer with 4 years of experience as a programmer. Her technologies are Java and Spring. She loves folk dances and is generally a very artistic person. Nadezhda will guide you through the Jumpstart module and will be your mentor in the advanced modules. She will make sure that you learn to write quality code, adhere to conventions, and you will always see her by your side – with a wide smile.
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