Don't Let Your Swift Code Stink
The Top Code Smells to Watch Out for in Your iOS Development and How to Keep Your Codebase Clean
👋 Welcome to the 6th edition of the Uplift iOS Development. Have you ever come across a codebase that exhibits peculiar characteristics or appears to be structurally unsound? This phenomenon is often referred to as "code smell" in the software engineering community. Even the most experienced iOS developers can find themselves grappling with codebases that emit unpleasant odors. In this newsletter, let’s explore code smell in the context of iOS development.
But what exactly is code smell? Think of it like the musty smell that you sometimes encounter in an old library or bookshop. It's a sign that something isn't quite right and that further investigation is needed. In the case of iOS development, code smell refers to those pesky little problems in your app that can make your Swift code difficult to understand, test, and maintain. Code smell sometimes indicates the possibility of a deeper problem. It refers to any code that is difficult to explain, hard to maintain, or likely to cause bugs.
So, what are some common code smells that you might encounter in iOS development? Well, for starters, there's the dreaded "Massive View Controller" problem. This is when the code for a single view controller becomes so large and complex that it's nearly impossible to manage. Trust me, we've all been there. Some common code smells in iOS development include:
⚡️ Overuse of force unwrapping: Force unwrapping is a way to extract a value from an optional variable, but overuse of this feature can lead to runtime crashes. It's better to use optional binding or default values instead.
⚡️ Poor naming conventions: Code that uses unclear or inconsistent naming conventions can be difficult to read and understand. It's important to use descriptive names for variables, functions, and classes.
⚡️ Excessive nesting: Code that has too many nested if statements, loops, or closures can be hard to follow and debug.
⚡️ Code duplication: Repeating the same code in multiple places can lead to inconsistencies and bugs. It's better to refactor the code into reusable functions or classes.
After a decade of crafting elegant iOS code, I've come across a common query - are comments code smells? My personal view is a big, resounding no. I believe that well-written code should ideally speak for itself but of course, there are often nuances and intricacies that require further elucidation. For instance, code might not adequately explain the business rules or edge cases, or why certain decisions were made to accommodate specific bugs or specific crashes. That's where comments come in handy, providing a more complete picture of the logic and reasoning behind code. I love to add comments in this case.
Of course, we shouldn't go overboard with comments - bombarding every code snippet with lengthy explanations can be overwhelming and detract from the overall readability. But judiciously commenting on the parts that are not self-evident can significantly enhance the onboarding experience for new developers, paving the way for smoother and more efficient collaboration.
If you want to keep your Swift codebase smelling fresh and avoid that stinky code smell, here are some tips for you.
🌒 First off, don't turn a blind eye to code smells. Be mindful of them and take proactive steps to eliminate them. Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty.
🌖 Regularly refactor your code to keep it clean and easy to understand. Don't let your functions grow too big - break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Use clear and consistent naming conventions so your variables, functions, and classes don't smell like something left in the back of the fridge for too long.
🌗 Avoid nesting your code too much, or it'll start to resemble a Russian nesting doll - complex and hard to unravel. And always keep an eye out for code smells - excessive comments, duplicated code, tight coupling between classes - all these smells can lead to a codebase that's hard to maintain and even harder to understand.
🌔 By being mindful of these best practices and keeping your codebase smelling clean and organized, you'll be able to maintain your Swift code over the long haul without making your nose wrinkle.
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I hope that you have found this edition of the newsletter informative and valuable. I am constantly striving to bring you the latest and greatest information on SwiftUI, Swift, and iOS Interviews. If you found this edition helpful, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share it with your friends and colleagues. By sharing and forwarding this email, you will be helping me to reach a wider audience and continue to provide valuable content. I thank you in advance for your support and look forward to providing you with more informative and engaging articles in the future.