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Resources for learning how to better read code

I recently inherited a large codebase and am having to read it. The thing is, I've usually been the dev starting a project. As a result, I don't have a lot of experience reading code.

My reaction to having to read a lot of code is, well, umm to rewrite it. But I need to bring myself up to speed quickly and build on top of an existing system.

Do other people have techniques they've learned to absorb a code base? At this point, I'm just reading through the code. I've tried generating UML diagrams using UModel. They're so big they won't print cleanly and when I zoom in, I really do lose the perspective of seeing all the relationships.

How have other people dealt with this problem?

Solution

  • Wow - I literally just finished listening to a podcast on reading code!!!

    http://www.pluralsight-training.net/community/blogs/pluralcast/archive/2010/03/01/pluralcast-10-reading-code-with-alan-stevens.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+pluralcast+%28Pluralcast+by+Pluralsight%29

    I would recommend listening to this. One interesting point that was made that I found radical and may be something you could try (I know I'm going to!). Download the entire source code base. Start editing and refactoring the code then...throw that version away!!! I think with all the demands that we have with deadlines that doing this would not even occur to most developers.

    I am in a similar position to you in my own work and I have found the following has worked for me: - Write test cases on existing code. To be able to write the test case you need to be able to understand the cde base. - If it is available, look at the bug\issues that have been documented through the life cycle of the product and see how they were resolved. - Try and refactor some of the code - you'll probably break it, but that's fine you can throw it away and start again. By decomposing the code into smaller problems you'll understand it bettter

    You don't need to make drastic changes when refactoring though. When your reading the code and you understand something, rename the variable or the method names so the better reflect the problem the are trying to solve.

    Oh and if you can, please get a copy of Working Effectively with Legacy Code by Michael C. Feathers - I think you'll find it invaluable in your situation.

    Good luck!