Master Code Reading: Thinking Skills to Decode

Story has it that there was a young coder, fingers flying across the keyboard, code flowing like a river. However, one fine day, he was assigned to debug a legacy project, with code as tangled as yarn. He struggled for a whole week but couldn’t find a way out. Finally, he had to seek help from a coding veteran. The veteran just smiled kindly, slowly read each line of code, analyzed the logic, and in the blink of an eye, pinpointed the cause of the error.

This story shows that code reading skills are just as important as code writing skills. So how can you improve your thinking skills when reading code, turning dry lines of commands into an understandable story? Let’s explore the secrets with KỸ NĂNG MỀM in this article!

Reading Code Is Not Just Reading, It’s Understanding

Have you ever felt overwhelmed when facing a massive open-source project, with thousands of lines of code stacked on top of each other? Don’t worry, that feeling is very normal, even for experienced programmers.

Just like learning a new language, reading code is not simply recognizing keywords and syntax. More importantly, you need to understand the logic and intention of the code writer. Why did they choose this solution and not another? Is the code organization reasonable?

To do that, you need to develop logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and constantly improve your knowledge of programming languages, frameworks, and libraries.

Secrets to “Decode” Every Line of Code

1. Define a Clear Goal: Before you start reading code, ask yourself: “What do I want to learn from this piece of code?”. Having a clear goal will help you focus on the important parts of the code, avoiding wasting time on unnecessary sections.

2. Start with Simple Parts: Don’t rush into complex code sections right away. Start with simple, easy-to-understand parts like config files, utility functions, etc. Then, gradually delve into more complex sections.

3. Utilize Supporting Tools: Tools like debuggers, IDEs, code highlighting plugins, etc., will be great assistants to help you read and understand code quickly and more effectively.

4. Practice Regularly: “Practice makes perfect,” the best way to improve your code reading skills is to practice regularly. Participate in open-source projects, read code from good programmers, etc.

The Spirit and Art of Code Reading

In the programming world, reading code is often likened to “reading someone else’s mind”. Each line of code contains an intention, a unique way of solving a problem. And to become a good code “reader”, you need to have a bit of “spirit”, a bit of sensitivity in grasping the intentions of the code writer.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van A, a veteran programming expert in Hanoi: “Reading code well not only helps you fix bugs quickly, but also helps you learn experience and improve skills from other programmers.” He also added: “Read code with an open and inquisitive mind, and don’t hesitate to ask questions when you encounter difficult-to-understand code.”

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Conclusion

Thinking skills in code reading are crucial for any programmer. Hopefully, this article has provided you with useful knowledge, helping you feel more confident in your journey to conquer lines of code. Remember, “it’s a long road that tests a horse’s strength,” persevere in practicing and you will reap many successes on your path to becoming a talented programmer!

If you need further assistance with code reading skills, or any other soft skills, please contact us via phone number: 0372666666, or visit us at: 55 To Tien Thanh, Hanoi. We have a 24/7 customer care team.