Why Reviewing A Code Is Better Than Writing It

Many software developers like writing code, considering this process as an act of creation of something beautiful. However, reviewing a code is better and more efficient from a personal development point of view. The following article explains how code review helps the developer write good code and why it is better than writing a code.

Experience Sharing

One of the most significant advantages of conducting the code review, besides quality assurance, is experience sharing. A developer who is performing a review can learn a lot from his colleague who wrote the code. Such an experience sharing often includes the in-depth discovery of the architecture, learning how and when to use software patterns, and overall development best practices.

It may also include some minor things, like code style, development conventions, or code smells. However, these small things can significantly boost the readability and maintainability of the code and be very beneficial in the long-term perspective.

Finally, code review is a part of the development flow, and a person who is performing code review has to know this flow. Consequently, after completing several code review sessions, he may propose to alter the flow to improve code quality or skip unneeded activities to save time. Both these improvements are beneficial for the project.

Multiple Areas Coverage

Every code review of a new area gives the reviewer the possibility to learn new components or frameworks. It is another significant advantage of doing code review, as the reviewer will learn a lot of new information about the component or the framework during the review session.

Such a code review is also a possibility to see how other people use the component. The reviewer has to evaluate whether the component is used correctly, so he has to check the best practices for using the component. Consequently, he also has to see how this component can be used in general and how it can be applied to solve particular tasks. After completing the review, this person will have some experience in using the component in the current case and the relevant areas in general.

Acquiring Expertise

We see that code review gives knowledge, experience, and, consequently, expertise in the related areas. A reviewer who performed tens of in-depth code reviews in the same cases has knowledge and experience compared to enterprise experts.

The more areas or components the reviewer knows, the better. Knowledge of several adjusted components is an excellent foundation to build an integration between them that will satisfy all the requirements.

Another advantage of code review experience is predicting where a developer may make an architectural or technical mistake. Such a skill is extremely valuable for any person who works in the quality assurance domain.

Yes, doing code review may not be a pleasant job and may take a lot of time. However, the “less pleasure, more experience“ motto has many positive consequences, and the acquired knowledge, experience, and expertise are great foundations for professional and career growth.