Don’t Overcomplicate: Keep It Simple TL;DR: Overdefensive code leads to unnecessary complexity. Problems Unnecessary complexity
Confusing logic
Hidden bugs
Harder maintenance
Slower performance
Cluttered Code Solutions Simplify checks
Trust your logic
Focus on essentials
Follow the K.I.S.S. principle
Refactor regularly Context Overthinking and overdesigning your code can lead to unnecessary complexity. You might feel a need to defend against every possible scenario, but this approach often produces bloated, confusing code. Hanlon's Razor suggests that you should not assume malice when simple mistakes or misunderstandings are more likely. Avoid overly defensive programming and focus on clear, straightforward logic. You might anticipate future problems that might never happen or try to make your code too flexible. Simple code is easier to maintain, debug, and understand. Sample Code Wrong function processData(data) {
    if (typeof data === 'undefined') {
        throw new Error('Data is undefined');
    }

    if (typeof data !== 'object') {
        throw new Error('Data is not an object');
    }

    if (data === null) {
        throw new Error('Data is null');
    }

    if (Array.isArray(data)) {
        throw new Error('Data should not be an array');
    }

    if (!data.hasOwnProperty('items')) {
        return [];
    }

    if (!Array.isArray(data.items)) {
        throw new Error('Items should be an array');
    }

    if (data.items.length === 0) {
        return []; 
    }

    let processedItems = [];
    for (let item of data.items) {
        if (typeof item === 'undefined') {
            continue; // Skip undefined items
        }

        if (typeof item !== 'object') {
            continue; // Skip non-object items
        }

        if (item === null) {
            continue; // Skip null items
        }

        processedItems.push(processItem(item));
    }

    return processedItems;
} Right function processData(data) {
    if (!Array.isArray(data.items)) {
        throw new Error('Invalid data');
    }

    return data.items
        .filter(item => typeof item === 'object' && item !== null)
        .map(item => processItem(item));
} Detection [x]Manual Complicated code usually has more lines and long methods are a possible hint. Tag(s) Bloaters Level [x]Intermediate AI Generation AI generators can introduce this smell when they try to account for every possible edge case. For example, dealing with NULLs is unnecessary if you completely avoid them. AI Detection AI tools can help detect overly defensive code by analyzing the logic and suggesting simplifications with proper guidance. These tools often recommend removing unnecessary checks or combining them for clarity. Conclusion Avoid overthinking and overdesigning your code. Focus on the most likely scenarios and write clear, straightforward logic. Simplicity leads to better code quality and easier maintenance. Related Reading https://hackernoon.com/how-to-find-the-stinky-parts-of-your-code-part-i-xqz3evd?embedable=true https://hackernoon.com/how-to-find-the-stinky-parts-of-your-code-part-iii-t7h3zkv?embedable=true More Info
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon's_razor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_programming?embedable=true Disclaimer: Code Smells are my opinion. Lead Photo by Nacho Fernández on Unsplash Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo da Vinci https://hackernoon.com/400-thought-provoking-software-engineering-quotes?embedable=true This article is part of the CodeSmell Series: How to Find the Stinky Parts of your Code Don’t Overcomplicate: Keep It Simple Don’t Overcomplicate: Keep It Simple TL;DR: Overdefensive code leads to unnecessary complexity. TL;DR: Overdefensive code leads to unnecessary complexity. Problems Unnecessary complexity Confusing logic Hidden bugs Harder maintenance Slower performance Cluttered Code Unnecessary complexity Confusing logic Hidden bugs Harder maintenance Slower performance Cluttered Code Solutions Simplify checks Trust your logic Focus on essentials Follow the K.I.S.S. principle Refactor regularly Simplify checks Trust your logic Focus on essentials Follow the K.I.S.S. principle Refactor regularly Context Overthinking and overdesigning your code can lead to unnecessary complexity. You might feel a need to defend against every possible scenario, but this approach often produces bloated, confusing code. every Hanlon's Razor suggests that you should not assume malice when simple mistakes or misunderstandings are more likely. Avoid overly defensive programming and focus on clear, straightforward logic. Hanlon's Razor defensive programming You might anticipate future problems that might never happen or try to make your code too flexible. Simple code is easier to maintain, debug , and understand. debug Sample Code Wrong function processData(data) {
    if (typeof data === 'undefined') {
        throw new Error('Data is undefined');
    }

    if (typeof data !== 'object') {
        throw new Error('Data is not an object');
    }

    if (data === null) {
        throw new Error('Data is null');
    }

    if (Array.isArray(data)) {
        throw new Error('Data should not be an array');
    }

    if (!data.hasOwnProperty('items')) {
        return [];
    }

    if (!Array.isArray(data.items)) {
        throw new Error('Items should be an array');
    }

    if (data.items.length === 0) {
        return []; 
    }

    let processedItems = [];
    for (let item of data.items) {
        if (typeof item === 'undefined') {
            continue; // Skip undefined items
        }

        if (typeof item !== 'object') {
            continue; // Skip non-object items
        }

        if (item === null) {
            continue; // Skip null items
        }

        processedItems.push(processItem(item));
    }

    return processedItems;
} function processData(data) {
    if (typeof data === 'undefined') {
        throw new Error('Data is undefined');
    }

    if (typeof data !== 'object') {
        throw new Error('Data is not an object');
    }

    if (data === null) {
        throw new Error('Data is null');
    }

    if (Array.isArray(data)) {
        throw new Error('Data should not be an array');
    }

    if (!data.hasOwnProperty('items')) {
        return [];
    }

    if (!Array.isArray(data.items)) {
        throw new Error('Items should be an array');
    }

    if (data.items.length === 0) {
        return []; 
    }

    let processedItems = [];
    for (let item of data.items) {
        if (typeof item === 'undefined') {
            continue; // Skip undefined items
        }

        if (typeof item !== 'object') {
            continue; // Skip non-object items
        }

        if (item === null) {
            continue; // Skip null items
        }

        processedItems.push(processItem(item));
    }

    return processedItems;
} Right function processData(data) {
    if (!Array.isArray(data.items)) {
        throw new Error('Invalid data');
    }

    return data.items
        .filter(item => typeof item === 'object' && item !== null)
        .map(item => processItem(item));
} function processData(data) {
    if (!Array.isArray(data.items)) {
        throw new Error('Invalid data');
    }

    return data.items
        .filter(item => typeof item === 'object' && item !== null)
        .map(item => processItem(item));
} Detection [x]Manual [x] Manual [x] Complicated code usually has more lines and long methods are a possible hint. long methods Tag(s) Bloaters Bloaters Level [x]Intermediate [x] Intermediate [x] AI Generation AI generators can introduce this smell when they try to account for every possible edge case. For example, dealing with NULLs is unnecessary if you completely avoid them . NULLs avoid them AI Detection AI tools can help detect overly defensive code by analyzing the logic and suggesting simplifications with proper guidance. These tools often recommend removing unnecessary checks or combining them for clarity. Conclusion Avoid overthinking and overdesigning your code. Focus on the most likely scenarios and write clear, straightforward logic. Simplicity leads to better code quality and easier maintenance. Related Reading https://hackernoon.com/how-to-find-the-stinky-parts-of-your-code-part-i-xqz3evd?embedable=true https://hackernoon.com/how-to-find-the-stinky-parts-of-your-code-part-i-xqz3evd?embedable=true https://hackernoon.com/how-to-find-the-stinky-parts-of-your-code-part-iii-t7h3zkv?embedable=true https://hackernoon.com/how-to-find-the-stinky-parts-of-your-code-part-iii-t7h3zkv?embedable=true More Info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon's_razor More Info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon's_razor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlon's_razor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_programming?embedable=true https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_programming?embedable=true Disclaimer: Code Smells are my opinion. Disclaimer: Code Smells are my opinion. Disclaimer: Code Smells are my opinion . opinion Lead Photo by Nacho Fernández on Unsplash Lead Photo by Nacho Fernández on Unsplash Nacho Fernández Unsplash Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci https://hackernoon.com/400-thought-provoking-software-engineering-quotes?embedable=true https://hackernoon.com/400-thought-provoking-software-engineering-quotes?embedable=true This article is part of the CodeSmell Series: How to Find the Stinky Parts of your Code This article is part of the CodeSmell Series: How to Find the Stinky Parts of your Code How to Find the Stinky Parts of your Code

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