1. Follow Consistent Coding Standards Use style guides such as: PEP 8 for Python Java Code Conventions Microsoft C# Coding Conventions Use linters and formatters like ESLint, Prettier, Flake8, or StyleCop to automate enforcement. 2. Write Self-Documenting Code Use descriptive variable, function, and class names that clearly express intent. Avoid magic numbers and hardcoded values—replace them with constants or enums. Apply KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) and YAGNI (You Aren’t Gonna Need It) principles. 3. Modularize Code and Use SOLID Principles Break code into small, single-responsibility functions. Follow the SOLID principles for object-oriented design: Single Responsibility Open/Closed Liskov Substitution Interface Segregation Dependency Inversion 4. Write and Maintain Documentation Include inline comments sparingly—only where necessary to explain “why”, not “what”. Maintain README files, API documentation (Swagger/OpenAPI), and architectural diagrams. Use tools like Sphinx (Python) or JSDoc (JavaScript) for generating docs. 5. Implement Robust Testing Use unit testing frameworks (e.g., JUnit, xUnit, PyTest). Practice Test-Driven Development (TDD) where appropriate. Ensure code coverage, but also focus on meaningful tests (not just quantity). Include integration tests and automated UI tests where necessary. 6. Apply Version Control Best Practices Use Git with a clear branching strategy (e.g., Git Flow, trunk-based development). Write clear and concise commit messages. Perform code reviews via pull requests using platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Azure DevOps. 7. Leverage Static Code Analysis and CI/CD Tools Integrate tools like SonarQube, CodeQL, or ReSharper to analyze code quality and detect vulnerabilities. Automate builds, tests, and deployments with CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure Pipelines). 8. Refactor Continuously Apply continuous refactoring to reduce technical debt. Use IDE features (e.g., IntelliJ, Visual Studio) for safe refactoring like renaming, extracting methods, etc. 9. Write Code with Scalability and Extensibility in Mind Apply design patterns (e.g., Factory, Strategy, Observer) appropriately to solve recurring problems. Avoid tight coupling; promote loose coupling and high cohesion. 10. Emphasize Code Readability Over Cleverness Prioritize clear and intuitive logic. Avoid premature optimization—"make it work, then make it right, then make it fast.