Coding standards are an indispensable tool in the Software industry. They make sure that the code is uniform, comprehensible, and adaptable to be worked upon not only by the developer who developed it but by everyone who might come along to continue that line of work. The .NET framework developed by Microsoft is a C# language that is being increasingly adopted for all big and small applications.
Therefore, following the best practices and coding conventions is essential as the C# language is used to build applications. In the paragraph below, we are going to learn the top C# coding standards that can be applied in your work as a team member in order to write better programs.
Adhering to coding standards helps to:
- Simplify the write-up through better organization of code, which makes it more predictable and easier to understand.
- Raise productivity during the process of code standardization as it reduces time lost out to unreadable coding standards.
- Enhance your code quality by indicating potential problems and errors.
- Make collaboration standards because everybody in the team can easily understand and modify it that requires code standards.
Key C# Coding Standards
Rather than sticking straight to the main topic, let us first select some of the vital C# coding standards and tell you how you can factor them into your development process.
Naming Conventions
1. Use PascalCase for classes and methods:
In C#, the class name and method name must start with a capital letter of the beginning word, followed by all the subsequent words likewise, for instance, 'ClientActivity' or 'CalculateStatistics'.
public class ClientActivity
{
public void ClearStatistics()
{
// method implementation
}
}
2. Use lowercase letters for method arguments and local variables:
The usage of lowercase letters to for the first letter of the word and then capitalizing the subsequent next word is recommended, for starters `itemCount` and `logEvent`.
public void Add(LogEvent logEvent)
{
int itemCount = logEvent.Items.Count;
// method implementation
}
3. Avoid underscores in identifiers:
Language sections, that are addressed for developers are a crucial part of any programming language. The last but not the least part of the style guide is the creation rules for identifiers. One of the main rules on how to create them is, that except for private static variables, underscores should not be used in identifiers. This makes code less natural and harder to comprehend, which can be a burden for the readers.
// Correct
private DateTime registrationDate;
// Avoid
private DateTime _registrationDate;
Code Layout
4. Proper use of braces:
Braces should be used consistently for blocks of code appearing immediately after the statements like ‘if’, ‘else’, ‘for’, ‘while’ etc. Keep the opening and closing braces together, vertically aligned in the same column to enhance readability.
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// implementation
}
}
Best Practices
5. Use built-in C# types rather than system types:
It’s better to apply the C# type names (such as, `int`, `string`, `bool`) instead of the system names (e.g., `Int32`, `String`, `Boolean`) because the C# names are more natural and familiar.
// Correct
int index;
string firstName;
// Avoid
Int32 index;
String firstName;
6. Implement proper indentation and spacing:
Having these style rigorous rules for indentation and the appropriate usage of whitespaces can ultimately boost the readability of code. Likewise, methods should be blank, and single lines with grouped base functionals should be line breaks.
public class Employee
{
private int employee;
public void PrintDetails()
{
// implementation
}
}
7. Optimize the use of `var`:
Declare the variable with `var` when creating a new instance or a cast or making an assignment. But take note that it is not advisable to use var when the variable type is not explicitly given by the right side of the assignment.
var stream = File.Create(path); // Type is obvious
int count = 5; // Type is explicit
Documentation and Comments
8. Use XML documentation comments:
For example, when used for functions, programs, classes, and other code elements, these comments in XML (`///`) can process to an external document and appear as tooltip messages within the IDE via potential tools.
/// <summary>
/// Calculates the sum of two numbers.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="a">First number.</param>
/// <param name="b">Second number.</param>
/// <returns>The sum of the two numbers.</returns>
public int Add(int a, int b)
{
return a + b;
}
Conclusion
Meeting these metrics eventually yields to well-structured, well-tested and maintainable code that makes it possible for team members to work together. Whether you are a newbie or an experienced developer, sticking to these practices will not only lead to improvement on the developer side alone but will also improve the development process on any team with the input from every member.
Start gradually applying those standards to your everyday coding activities to witness a gradual but obvious leap in both your and your coworkers' productivity.
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