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Code Smell

A code smell is a hint that something might be wrong somewhere in your code. I have seen various versions on the Internet listing what code is considered code smell. I agree with some, don't agree with others. Here is what I consider to be code smell:

  • Duplicate Code
  • Long Method (any method longer than 30 lines)
  • Large Class (> 1000 lines of “code, comments, and blank lines” when properly formatted)
  • Parameter List with more than 5 parameters
  • Methods that do not contain a verb
  • Properties that do contain a verb
  • Same Name, Different Meaning
  • Excessive Overloading
  • Classes that do not do just one thing
  • Too many comments. The code itself should explain what it is doing. Comments should explain business rules or why a particular algorithm was used.
  • Long Class, Method, or Property names
  • Temporary Fields
  • Too many conditionals
  • Double-Negatives
  • “Magic” Numbers
  • More than one type (class, interface, enum, etc.) per file.
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