WARNING — The most important skill to produce better code!
I'm not going to talk about clean code, at least, not only that 😄
Before we go to the skill, let’s understand what I mean by better code. Better code is a simple code that everyone can read and understand. Is your code simple to read?
Now, maybe you are thinking we are going to talk about Clean Code. Well, not really. There is one more important skill. Actually, this skill is crucial to writing Clean Code.
The skill we are going to talk about is Communication, let’s understand more about it.
Communication
Communication is the key to producing better code. Try explaining your code to another coworker. It will probably not be hard, at least if your code follows best practices. However, there are situations where you are using best practices, your code is clean, but it is not easy to explain. This is a communication skill.
Clean code and communication go hand in hand. I’ve written about clean code and touched on communication in another article, but now it’s time to dive deeper into the skill of communication.
Explaining Code to Non-Technical People
Have you ever tried explaining your code to someone who doesn’t work in tech —maybe a client or someone from the business team? It’s not easy!
Clean code can help. If your code is easy to read and understand, it becomes much easier to explain. But knowing the business adds another layer of clarity. When your code uses terms and keywords from the business domain, it aligns with how the business thinks. This alignment makes it easier for non-technical people to understand what your code does.
For example, if you’re working on an e-commerce application, using terms like “Teacher” or “Student” in your code instead of generic names like “User” or “Person” makes your code more relatable to business stakeholders. This practice connects clean code with communication and creates a bridge between technical and non-technical worlds.
Now that you understand the importance of communication, let’s see how you can improve your communication.
Improving Your Communication Skills
Now that you see why communication is important, let’s explore how you can improve:
Learn the Business Language
Use the terms and keywords your business uses. For example, if the business talks about “Customer Journeys,” reflect that in your variable names, classes, and documentation.
Practice Explaining Your Code
Regularly explain your code to different audiences, including non-technical people. This helps you learn how to adapt your language and focus on what’s important to them.
Keep Your Code Clean and Self-Explanatory
Follow best practices like meaningful variable names, clear comments, and proper structure. The clearer your code is, the easier it will be to explain.
Explain What You Have Understood
When working with others, make it a habit to explain what you’ve understood about their ideas or requirements. This ensures you’re on the same page and helps build clarity for everyone involved. It also shows that you’re actively listening and engaged.
Collaborate with Others
Pair programming and code reviews are great ways to practice communication. They force you to explain your choices and understand others’ perspectives.
Work on Your Soft Skills
Communication is not just about code. Improve your ability to listen, ask questions, and convey ideas effectively. Consider reading books or taking courses on communication.
I really like this TEDx talk, which shows how communication skills can help us convey a feeling and convince people. And that's why this skill is so important for anyone, including developers.
How to sound smart in your TEDx Talk Will Stephen TEDxNewYork 1
Conclusion
By focusing on communication, you not only improve the quality of your code but also enhance your ability to work with others. This skill is invaluable for both personal growth and team success.