Unlocking the Beauty in Imperfection: Why Perfect Code Isn’t Always Better

Ben
3 min readApr 2, 2024

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Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash

Perfection in code remains an elusive ideal, as the intricate nature of programming encompasses countless variables and scenarios. No code can comprehensively cover every base and requirement flawlessly, owing to the inherent complexity of systems and the dynamic nature of technology.

I’ve talked about the big flaw in perfect design. In that article I talk about how we often over complicate, over design, and optimize too early. It slows us down, frustrates us and make our code worse rather than better.

The pursuit of perfect design often hinges on the assumption of perfect code, which is a fallacy. In reality, perfection remains an elusive concept in coding. It’s common to write code, only to return later and realize its shortcomings. However, each iteration presents an opportunity for improvement, paving the way for future iterations to be refined and enhanced.

Perfect code could be defined as covering every case, in an efficient optimized way, and useful in every scenario related to its use. This simply does not exist. Coding is the art of managing tradeoffs.

The relentless pursuit of perfect coding can lead to frustration, arrogance, and strained relationships, ultimately resulting in their collapse. It’s essential to recognize the limitations and imperfections inherent in coding, and instead focus on continuous improvement and collaboration, fostering healthier and more sustainable relationships both with others and oneself.

We live in a world that wants us to think that perfection is out there. That someone else is achieving perfect design, and code. I know, without a doubt, that your programming idols realize their code could always be better.

Better code, rather than perfection, is the achievable reality. It may not be flawless, but it’s constantly improving. Advancements in skills, experience, technology, and application architecture contribute to its enhancement. Moreover, adapting to new requirements ensures its continuous refinement and effectiveness.

Code Reviews

Code reviews can be a sensitive subject. Developers can often feel empowered to discriminate and securitize, unfairly, the code of others. Calling out poor naming choices, failing to follow some well-known standards like SOLID, and forcing strange standards in the name of perfection. These are all things I have seen in my years of development.

Code reviews should not focus on perfect code but on better code. Code reviews should be carried out to help with continuous improvement of both people and code. That beautiful unification of progress, on both ends, allows the world to slowly improve rather than degrade.

My invitation to you is that when you perform code reviews you follow these steps:

  1. Remind yourself of the coding experience and level of the programmer who made these changes.
  2. Focus on the good bits first. Call out the awesome sections of code.
  3. Suggest changes, with explanations of why they should be changed. Seek to teach each other rather than command or demand.
  4. Earn each other's trust. Show them why these things are better, encourage questions, and answer when you know.

Pair Programming

Pair programming is an extremely effective way to open communication between two varying levels of developers. Often the less experienced developer will feel that more expert developer knows more. They will avoid question decisions and assume the code written by the other is “perfect code”.

If you are the more experienced, inspire the other by asking them what they think or to ask questions about the decisions being made. If you are the less experienced feel open and confined to question and suggest changes. In a worst-case scenario, you will learn why things are done this way and you’ll expand your own abilities.

The pursuit of perfect code is futile; however, better code is attainable through continuous refinement. Achieving improvement requires dedication, practice, and adaptability. While the idea of ‘good enough’ may sometimes be unsatisfying, it often signifies an appropriate stopping point in the iterative process of development.

Wasted energy on perfecting something that will never be perfect is a mistake. While we can have fun trying to get things to their best state at this time, do not forget it will never be perfect.

Embrace the joy of coding, relish the journey of learning, and above all, savor the camaraderie in crafting better code alongside your teams. The collaborative process of improvement is where the true fulfillment lies.

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