Good code is its own best documentation. As you're about…
“Good code is its own best documentation. As you're about to add a comment, ask yourself, "How can I improve the code so that this comment isn't needed?" Improve the code and then document it to make it even clearer.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Code should be clear enough that comments are unnecessary; clarity reduces reliance on external explanations.
In simple terms: Write clear code, not just comments.
Key Takeaway
Make code self‑explanatory before adding comments.
Themes
software engineering
clarity
documentation
best practices
Mood
focused
analytical
Type
advice
instructional
When to use this quote
- code reviews
- pair programming
- maintenance
- onboarding
Key Concepts
clean code
self‑documenting code
refactoring
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you simplify this function?
- When is a comment truly essential?
A Different Perspective
Complex logic may still need brief notes for future readers.