Software Development
Code Review
Definition
Code review is a software quality assurance activity in which one or several people check a program mainly by viewing and reading parts of its source code. At least one of the people must not be the code's author.
Why It Matters
Code review is one of the most effective practices for improving software quality and sharing knowledge. It helps catch bugs, improve code readability and maintainability, and ensures adherence to team standards. It also helps other developers learn about different parts of the codebase.
Contextual Example
A developer finishes a new feature and opens a "Pull Request" on GitHub. Other team members then review the code changes, leave comments and suggestions, and finally approve the request before the code is merged into the main branch.
Common Misunderstandings
- The goal of code review is not to criticize, but to collaborate on improving the code.
- Effective code reviews are done in a timely and respectful manner.