Programming Help for Beginners
We write programs to instruct computers. When programming using a high level programming language like C++ or Java, we are using a syntax that is somewhat closer to human languages. However, we use these programs as inputs to either compilers or interpreters to be converted to computer understandable binary format. For this reason, as far as the program code adheres to the syntax of the used programming languages, the compilers and interpreters never bother about the layout or visual formatting of the program code. However, as human programmers, we ourselves need to bother about the aesthetics of the program code.
What is a Coding Standard?
A coding standard is a set of guidelines, rules and regulations on how to write code. Usually a coding standard includes guide lines on how to name variables, how to indent the code, how to place parenthesis and keywords etc. The idea is to be consistent in programming so that, in case of multiple people working on the same code, it becomes easier for one to understand what others have done. Even for individual programmers, and especially for beginners, it becomes very important to adhere to a standard when writing the code. The idea is, when we look at our own code after some time, if we have followed a coding standard, it takes less time to understand or remember what we meant when we wrote some piece of code.
Coding Standards Make a Difference
Look at the following example:
int volume(int i, int j, int k) {
int vol;
vol = i * j * k;
return vol;
}
Looking at this code at a glance, it takes some time for one to understand that this function calculates the volume. However if we adhere to a naming convention for variables and method names, we could make the code more readable.
Here are few sample conventions:
int calculateVolume(int height, int width, int length) {
int volume = 0;
volume = height * width * length;
return volume;
}
It takes more time to type this code, however this saves far more time. This code is far more readable than its original version. With a little bit of effort, we could make the code much more understandable.
The Benefits
It is not only the readability that we get through a coding standard in programming. Writing more secure code could also be encouraged through a coding convention. As an example, in C++ we could say that each pointer variable must be initialized to NULL.
char* myName = NULL;
This ensures that we would not corrupt memory while using this pointer variable.
Code readability is just one of the aspects of maintainability. Coding standards help a great deal with program maintainability, our ability to change programs with ease. Consistency imposed through a coding standard is a key factor to achieve success in maintaining prorams.
Defining Your Own Coding Standard
A programmer can define his or her own coding convention and adhere to that in writing programms. However there are many coding conventions available on the Internet. Those who program in Java should have a look into http://java.sun.com/docs/codeconv/html/CodeConvTOC.doc.html - Code Conventions for the Java Programming Language by Sun.
For C++ coding standards, I would recommend that you have a look into http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/webdev/AppB.Cpp_Coding_Standards.htm - C++ Coding Standards from BBC.
http://oopweb.com/CPP/Documents/CPPHOWTO/Volume/C++Programming-HOWTO-14.html - C++ Programming HOWTO has some C++ Coding Conventions and also a bunch of links that lead to several coding standards that you can pick from.
John Dirk
Programming Consultant
http://www.programminghelp4u.com/
Programming ( Assignment / Project ) Help
There are many commands that are used in linux on... Read More
ERP Consulting industry is on the way to serve clients... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains as ERP and Microsoft CRM as... Read More
.Net Framework is a platform or development environment to seamlessly... Read More
Enabling Chinese input is quick and easy, there are only... Read More
For those who still don't know, Microsoft Publisher helps computer... Read More
Stealing company information used to be the specialty of spies... Read More
What is Groupware?Have you ever had to manage document collaboration... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions main middle market ERP application - Microsoft... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains and Microsoft CRM become more and more... Read More
I suggest that you do not spend a lot of... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains and MS CRM (client relation... Read More
Today's business world is fast-paced. No matter what it is... Read More
In a previous article, I wrote about... Read More
Microsoft Retail Management System serves retail single store as well... Read More
Domino server is a buffer between the operation system and... Read More
If someone entered your home, uninvited and installed numerous cameras... Read More
Microsoft Client Relation Management system (Microsoft CRM) and Microsoft RMS... Read More
Make-or-Break Factors in Success and ProfitabilityFor quick printers, estimating can... Read More
What is 'adware'?Adware is basically software or scripts that are... Read More
We live in a post-industrial age where information is the... Read More
Before being able to choose a secure Internet communication system,... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions CRM is now approaching the phase of... Read More
Combining Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains ERP with non-Microsoft Business... Read More
Just when you thought you were Web savvy, one more... Read More
street light fittings sodium street lights Pete's produce ..Document Manager and Version HistoryIn previous articles I have discussed... Read More
If you feel intimidated when someone tries to teach you... Read More
Most people don't use Photoshop to its fullest capabilities. Here... Read More
1. What determines the software price? Is it Per Seat... Read More
What is Groupware?Have you ever had to manage document collaboration... Read More
A few months back I really got sick of my... Read More
I provide, here clear explanations and a count of function... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is marketed for mid-size companies... Read More
Let's say that you have a software project that's under... Read More
If you have Great Plains Dynamics/eEnterprise (version 6.0 or earlier)... Read More
Linux essentials:It's free for download but you have to pay... Read More
If you have been running Windows XP for a couple... Read More
Heard about the Quark "killer"?Adobe InDesign CS2. Will it really... Read More
As you probably know, when Microsoft purchased Great Plains Software... Read More
All of us know that Microsoft bought former Great Plains... Read More
Document Management or Enterprise Information Management is perhaps one of... Read More
In this small article we will be looking at the... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains has many years of successful... Read More
If you copy something from a Web site or elsewhere...... Read More
Microsoft CRM is winning market share step-by-step from such the... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains has substantial mid-market share in the USA... Read More
Program Flow is what you think it is. How the... Read More
Lotus Domino/Notes ? Microsoft Great Plains tandem as ERP with... Read More
Follow the steps below to quickly design, generate, and deploy... Read More
Before being able to choose a secure Internet communication system,... Read More
Software Software |