What is clean code?

Clean code is code that is easy to read, understand and modify. This applies not only to the original developer but also to anyone else who may need to work on it later. It avoids unnecessary complexity, follows simple logic and uses clear names for variables, functions and classes. Consistent formatting and style conventions also come into consideration, such that code looks consistent in the entire project, regardless of the author.

The key principle of clean code are readability, simplicity and consistency. Function should be brief and focused on a single task, making them easier to test and reuse. Variables and methods should be named such that describing what they are for is not required with another comment. Consistent naming convention, whitespace and indentation prevent confusion and make the code look like it was written by one person even when developing in big teams. This shared clarity helps developers work effectively and minimizes misunderstandings.

Clean coding is important since it directly impacts the long term health of a project. An organized codebase is easier to maintain, scale, and adapt to new requirements with less time and money in the long run. It also lowers the likelihood of bugs since easier to grasp, better structured code is less likely to contain hidden problems. New developers come on board quickly without wasting days deciphering complex logic, and teams can confidently incrementally add features without breaking existing behavior. Finally clean code makes development faster, more reliable and future proof.