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Survey Results

What's more important - easily understandable code or good comments?   [Edit]

Survey period: 1 Sep 2003 to 7 Sep 2003

You would hope to get both, but given a choice, which would you take?

OptionVotes% 
Easily understandable code69066.60
Good comments34633.40



 
GeneralRe: Dan Saks, Sec'ty of the ANSI/ICO C++ committee, on comments Pin
Gary Wheeler2-Sep-03 9:17
Gary Wheeler2-Sep-03 9:17 
GeneralDocumentation is like sex... Pin
Steven J. Ackerman2-Sep-03 5:14
Steven J. Ackerman2-Sep-03 5:14 
GeneralRe: Documentation is like sex... Pin
Gary Wheeler2-Sep-03 6:27
Gary Wheeler2-Sep-03 6:27 
GeneralDepends on the code you're writing. Pin
Navin2-Sep-03 4:55
Navin2-Sep-03 4:55 
GeneralBad Language Pin
Gavin Greig2-Sep-03 3:42
Gavin Greig2-Sep-03 3:42 
GeneralRe: Bad Language Pin
Navin2-Sep-03 5:35
Navin2-Sep-03 5:35 
GeneralRe: Bad Language Pin
ColinDavies2-Sep-03 22:42
ColinDavies2-Sep-03 22:42 
GeneralRe: Bad Language Pin
Gavin Greig2-Sep-03 23:07
Gavin Greig2-Sep-03 23:07 
Code may have unhelpful variable names (and I guess names in a language you don't understand would fall into this category) but at least you have other clues as to what's going on - you may know whether the code works or doesn't, you can watch what it's doing, and you will be familiar with most of the syntax even if you can't read the variable names. With "easily understandable code" - primarily well laid out, if the human language isn't a common factor - this will be easier.

With foreign language comments, you don't have the same clues to help you out, so if you can only have one of easily understandable code or good comments, the easily understandable code wins.

I've worked with extremely horrible variable names in MUMPS (Massachussets General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System, a programming language of horror) and while I would never want to go back, it is possible to make something of the gibberish so long as you have the syntax to help out.

Gavin Greig

"Haw, you're no deid," girned Charon. "Get aff ma boat or ah'll report ye."
Matthew Fitt - The Hoose O Haivers: The Twelve Trauchles O Heracles.

GeneralThis code sure is legible eh? Pin
Nish Nishant1-Sep-03 19:06
sitebuilderNish Nishant1-Sep-03 19:06 
GeneralRe: This code sure is legible eh? Pin
Matt Newman2-Sep-03 2:34
Matt Newman2-Sep-03 2:34 
GeneralRe: This code sure is legible eh? Pin
Navin2-Sep-03 5:36
Navin2-Sep-03 5:36 
GeneralRe: This code sure is legible eh? Pin
Taka Muraoka2-Sep-03 7:33
Taka Muraoka2-Sep-03 7:33 
GeneralRe: This code sure is legible eh? Pin
Gary Wheeler2-Sep-03 5:52
Gary Wheeler2-Sep-03 5:52 
GeneralBoth are important... Pin
J. Dunlap1-Sep-03 18:21
J. Dunlap1-Sep-03 18:21 
GeneralRe: Both are important... Pin
Matt Newman2-Sep-03 2:35
Matt Newman2-Sep-03 2:35 
GeneralSame thing Pin
Jim A. Johnson1-Sep-03 16:25
Jim A. Johnson1-Sep-03 16:25 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
Chris Maunder1-Sep-03 16:54
cofounderChris Maunder1-Sep-03 16:54 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
berndg1-Sep-03 20:16
berndg1-Sep-03 20:16 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
Chris Beckett2-Sep-03 3:57
Chris Beckett2-Sep-03 3:57 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
leppie2-Sep-03 7:46
leppie2-Sep-03 7:46 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
John M. Drescher2-Sep-03 16:05
John M. Drescher2-Sep-03 16:05 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
Wade Tingley2-Sep-03 16:40
Wade Tingley2-Sep-03 16:40 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
Gary Wheeler2-Sep-03 9:23
Gary Wheeler2-Sep-03 9:23 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
brianwelsch3-Sep-03 15:48
brianwelsch3-Sep-03 15:48 
GeneralRe: Same thing Pin
Gary Wheeler4-Sep-03 1:47
Gary Wheeler4-Sep-03 1:47 

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