Code Review Overview ? Tools and Techniques

Posted by julesalanna on February 28th, 2018

Since the 1970s, when code review was first conceived of by groundbreaking programmers of the computer, the idea of a formal code review has been seen as dreadful and way too time consuming. Now, with everything else in computing and software, code reviews have become much easier to do and different ways to do it. They are very effective today in a long formal code review, which is very much needed for software companies embedded with those tech-heavy sectors. So, what is this thing called code review and do companies get that done?

What Is Code Review?

Code reviewing is a process where developers inspect the program code virtually, often, several times. The code can be a class, entire program or a method. The objectives of code reviewing involve error detection, vulnerability exposure, best practice finding, and discovering any malware. Code review involves specific techniques and tools to do the review efficiently. The job is to make sure everything in the whole system is going smoothly and to fix up anything with bumps. Code review tools include Collaborator, Upsource, Review Board, and Crucible.

Code Review Tools

Formal inspections and walkthroughs are the main ways when it comes to reviewing. These tools automate the whole review process which minimizes the complete reviewing process of the code. They allow you to see all code changes, identify any defects, and make comments on specific lines. Users can set review rules and notifications to makes sure reviews are completed on schedule. A person can focus on the flow of work to find and eliminate problems while working with their team so it’s not a one-person job. Some of the best tools are free and an open source.

Code Review Techniques

There are multiple techniques, including the over–the–shoulder, email pass around, pair programming, and tool-assisted. The OvS is when developers stand behind the author who reviews the code as an informal reviewer. With the email pass around, the author sends the code to the reviewers for code review, as open sourced projects. In pair programming, two developers work on the code together on a single computer. Finally, as a time-consuming technique, the tool-assisted version, some various tools are used by the author and reviewer to look at the code.

Software development managers and programmers may be ignoring the benefits of code reviews. When done, it saves time, moving the development process along drastically. Besides saving time and money doing software development, code reviews also brings a more human-centric environment that gets programmers to work together on their code, promoting education within the job for younger developers. Code reviews will show better ways to make a code, solve problems with shortcuts, and easily identify any issues in the system. In all, these things should lead to development for programmers to make a smarter code and review process.