So, how do you know how good your code is?

Maybe you’ve tried using metrics like lines of code or cyclomatic complexity, but you still find yourself wondering, Does this actually measure how good my code is?

Reviewing your code can sometimes feel like a mystery. You want to ensure everything is clean, efficient, and maintainable. But how sure can you be?

You could easily focus on formatting and the outer form of your code, but what about the inner form, the logic, naming conventions, and all those internal aspects? That’s where things start to get tricky. Imagine you have two codebases: one with 10,000 lines of code and another with only 1,000 lines. The larger one might seem more complex, but what if it’s actually much easier to maintain and understand? I mean, which one is better? Lines of code alone don’t tell the full story here.

In today’s post, we’ll break down what code metrics can really tell you about code quality, why many of them are misleading, and what you should focus on to ensure high-quality code.

The Problem with Common Metrics

I’ve spent years in software development, especially in the enterprise space, where clean, maintainable code is crucial. I’ve seen firsthand how misleading metrics can derail teams and projects.

We often rely on common metrics like lines of code and cyclomatic complexity to judge code quality. These are popular for a reason they’re easy to measure and give us a quick glimpse at our codebase. But here’s the catch: these metrics often fail to capture the real essence of code quality.

So What Really Matters?

The problem with many metrics is that they focus on surface-level indicators and completely ignore what I like to call the “inner form” of code: its structure, naming conventions, and the underlying logic. These are the factors that have a true impact on how maintainable and understandable your code is. Unfortunately, no metric can fully capture that.

When you’re writing code especially in larger projects, it’s not just about getting the job done today. You’re building a foundation that others will interact with, modify, and expand. Code that’s rushed or structured poorly may work in the short term, but it becomes a burden in the long run.

What You Should Focus on Instead

So, if common metrics don’t tell the full story, what should you actually focus on? Here’s some actionable advice:

1. Code Readability and Simplicity: Aim for code that others can easily read and understand. This doesn’t mean making it overly simple; it means structuring it in a way that’s logical and consistent.

2. Naming Conventions: Naming might seem trivial, but it’s actually critical. Good naming conventions communicate the purpose and intent of your code, reducing confusion for future maintainers.

3. Modularity and Reusability: Break your code into small, reusable components where possible. This makes the code easier to test, maintain, and reuse in other parts of the application.

4. Logic and Flow: Make sure your code’s flow is clear and logical. It should guide readers naturally from one part of the logic to the next, without unnecessary complexity.

Bonus Tip

Review code with empathy and understanding. Try to see your code through the eyes of a new developer on your team who’s seeing it for the first time. Would they understand your decisions and flow, or would they be left guessing?

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, metrics have their place, but they’re not the whole picture. Truly high-quality code doesn’t just look good on the surface, it’s built with intention and care from the ground up.

So, when you’re judging the quality of your code, remember: it’s about more than just lines and complexity scores. It’s about creating code that will stand the test of time, helping you and your team build more efficiently and maintainable.