Resources

Best PracticesPro Tips & Guidelines

Proven best practices and guidelines for building high-quality, maintainable software.

Code Quality

4 essential practices

Write Self-Documenting Code

Use descriptive variable and function names that explain intent. Code should read like prose.

Example:

getUsersByActiveStatus() vs getUsers()

Keep Functions Small

Each function should do one thing well. Aim for functions under 20 lines.

Example:

Break complex logic into smaller, reusable functions

Use TypeScript

Static typing catches bugs early and improves IDE autocomplete and refactoring.

Example:

Define interfaces for all data structures

Consistent Code Style

Use ESLint and Prettier for automatic formatting and style enforcement.

Example:

Configure in .eslintrc and .prettierrc

Testing

4 essential practices

Test-Driven Development

Write tests before code to ensure testability and clear requirements.

Example:

Red → Green → Refactor cycle

Unit Test Coverage

Aim for 80%+ coverage of critical business logic and edge cases.

Example:

Focus on complex functions and algorithms

E2E for Critical Flows

Cover critical user journeys with end-to-end tests.

Example:

Login, checkout, account creation

Mock External Dependencies

Use mocks for APIs, databases, and third-party services in tests.

Example:

Jest mocks, MSW for API mocking

Security

4 essential practices

Never Trust User Input

Always validate and sanitize all user inputs on both client and server.

Example:

Use Zod or Yup for validation

Use Environment Variables

Never hardcode secrets. Use .env files and keep them out of version control.

Example:

Add .env to .gitignore

Implement Rate Limiting

Protect APIs from abuse with rate limiting and throttling.

Example:

Use express-rate-limit or similar

Keep Dependencies Updated

Regularly update packages to patch security vulnerabilities.

Example:

Run npm audit and dependabot

Performance

4 essential practices

Optimize Images

Use modern formats (WebP, AVIF), lazy loading, and proper sizing.

Example:

Next.js Image component

Code Splitting

Split code into smaller bundles and load only what is needed.

Example:

Dynamic imports, route-based splitting

Implement Caching

Cache expensive operations and API responses.

Example:

Redis for data, CDN for static assets

Database Indexing

Add indexes to frequently queried columns.

Example:

Index foreign keys and search fields

Git & Version Control

4 essential practices

Atomic Commits

Each commit should be a single logical change that makes sense in isolation.

Example:

Fix bug, not "various changes"

Descriptive Commit Messages

Write clear messages explaining what and why, not just what.

Example:

Fix: Resolve race condition in user auth

Feature Branches

Create branches for features, use pull requests for code review.

Example:

feature/user-auth, fix/login-bug

Never Commit Secrets

Use .gitignore and scan commits for accidental secret exposure.

Example:

Use git-secrets or similar tools

Architecture

4 essential practices

Separation of Concerns

Keep business logic, UI, and data access separate.

Example:

MVC, Clean Architecture patterns

DRY Principle

Do not Repeat Yourself. Extract common code into reusable functions.

Example:

Create utility functions and hooks

SOLID Principles

Follow SOLID principles for maintainable OOP code.

Example:

Single Responsibility, Open/Closed, etc.

API Design

Design clear, consistent REST or GraphQL APIs.

Example:

RESTful naming, proper HTTP methods

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