Coding standards are like the “rules of the road” for programmers. They tell us how to write code in a way that’s clean, easy to read, and easy to fix when things go wrong. Think of them as a guide to help us stay organized and avoid making our code a jumbled mess. Recently, I had the chance to use a tool called ESLint while coding in Visual Studio Code (VSCode). ESLint is like a helpful assistant that checks if your code has mistakes. But it’s not just about pointing out errors—it can also make sure your code looks neat and follows certain rules. It can show you where things went wrong, suggest how to fix them, and even fix some problems automatically with just a click.
At first, using ESLint was frustrating. I often didn’t completely understand why my code was being flagged, and the long lists of errors felt overwhelming. It was tempting to just let the tool fix everything for me, but I decided to take a different approach. Instead of just clicking “fix” and moving on, I spent time figuring out what was wrong and how to fix it myself. The more I worked through the errors, the more I understood about how code should be structured. Simple things, like fixing indentation and aligning text properly, made my code look cleaner and easier to read. It wasn’t always easy, but each small improvement made a difference. And the more I solved these problems on my own, the better I became at writing good code.
One of the biggest advantages of using ESLint is that it helps you stay consistent. When you’re working on a team, it’s important that everyone’s code looks similar. Imagine trying to read a book where every chapter has a different font and layout—it would be confusing, right? The same goes for code. If everyone on a team follows the same set of rules, the code becomes easier to read and understand, even if you didn’t write it yourself. This consistency makes it easier for team members to collaborate, spot problems, and make changes without getting lost in a sea of different styles.
Coding standards aren’t just about looking nice—they also make code easier to maintain. As projects grow, it’s easy for things to get messy. By sticking to a clear set of rules, you can keep things organized, which is especially important in big projects where many people are working together. It helps everyone stay on the same page and ensures that future changes won’t cause more problems than they solve.
Looking back on my first week with ESLint, I realize it was a lot harder than I thought, but also much more rewarding than I expected. It forced me to look closely at my own coding habits and make changes. At first, I resisted, but over time I started to see the value in writing clean, organized code. These coding rules are not just technicalities—they’re tools that help us grow as programmers, improve teamwork, and create software that’s easier to update and maintain.
Using ESLint taught me a valuable lesson: coding isn’t just about getting something to work—it’s about doing it in a way that’s easy to understand, easy to fix, and easy to build on. As I continue using ESLint, I’m excited to see how it helps me improve. Following coding standards takes practice and discipline, but in the end, it helps me write better code, work better with others, and make software that will stand the test of time. It’s not just about fixing mistakes—it’s about adopting a mindset that values clarity, organization, and excellence.