Here are key Java coding standards and best practices to write clean, maintainable code:
1. Naming Conventions 📜
- Use camelCase for variables/methods (e.g.,
userName
) - Class names should be PascalCase (e.g.,
UserManager
) - Constants are in UPPER_CASE (e.g.,
MAX_RETRIES
) - Avoid single-letter names unless in loops (e.g.,
i
,j
)
2. Code Structure 🧱
- Keep methods short and focused (ideally ≤ 5 lines)
- Use meaningful method names with clear parameters
- Follow the Single Responsibility Principle
- Prefer composition over inheritance where possible
3. Error Handling ⚠️
- Use try-with-resources for automatic resource management
- Prefer checked exceptions for recoverable errors
- Avoid empty catch blocks; log errors appropriately
- Use specific exception types instead of generic
Exception
4. Comments & Documentation 📖
- Write concise comments explaining complex logic
- Use Javadoc for public APIs
- Avoid redundant comments (e.g., "increment i" for
i++
) - Keep docstrings up-to-date with code changes
5. Testing 🧪
- Write unit tests for all public methods
- Use Mockito for mocking dependencies
- Follow TDD (Test-Driven Development) principles
- Keep tests isolated and repeatable
For more details on naming conventions, visit our Java Naming Conventions Guide. 🚀