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Code organization and readability for the self-taught coder

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Based on 264 ratings
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Benjamin Melki

Learn how to organize the code of any software project so you will not get lost in your own code. Learn readable code good practices so you can produce clean, easy to understand code.

You learned a programming language syntax and want to build a great software project and are staring at your screen. Where and how do you start?

  • How to establish your projects' features?
  • How to turn them into code?
  • How to organize the flow of your program?
  • How to create your folders and files structure?
  • How to write clean code you can be proud about?
Read more

Learn how to organize the code of any software project so you will not get lost in your own code. Learn readable code good practices so you can produce clean, easy to understand code.

You learned a programming language syntax and want to build a great software project and are staring at your screen. Where and how do you start?

  • How to establish your projects' features?
  • How to turn them into code?
  • How to organize the flow of your program?
  • How to create your folders and files structure?
  • How to write clean code you can be proud about?

This course is not like usual beginners course. I will not rehearse what are variables, loops, classes, and functions. Instead, I will teach you a systematic method to make use of all these code structures to organize the code of any software project. This course might be your first step into the 'craft' aspect of programming.

Course overviewWe will start at the beginning and explore a bit of programming history. Back in the late 70s, we will see the early attempts at solving the code organization problem and how it has evolved to today's paradigm. This is a unique opportunity for you to dig into programming history and learn fundamental and historical code design concerns: code coupling and cohesion.I will then teach you the project analysis phase, where you will learn to establish the requirements of your project and develop them into use cases scenarios. At this point, you will be equipped with a very solid foundation to start coding.Next, you will start the code design phase, where, guided by the analysis phase outcome, you will turn use cases into code. At each step of the process, you will be involved in a practice activity where you will be able to reproduce what I'm teaching with your own project.Finally, I will teach you code readability good practices to help you produce easy to understand code. Quizzes will make sure the notions learned are well solidified into your brain.

Course benefitsAt the end of the course, you will have a solid method to tackle any software project. You will be equipped with a systematic way to organize the flow of your code. You will be able to produce clean and readable code structures.The concepts I teach in this course are so essentials, that you will be able to apply them immediately to ALL your software projects.

Target studentThe course is suitable for beginner coders and independent developers. You should have a basic knowledge of any programming language syntax. You should know what are variables, arrays, loops, functions, classes.... but you are struggling to organize them to build a full software.This course is language agnostic: teaching is applicable to any programming language, preferably object oriented languages. All you need is you own programming language and environment setup to follow the project practice.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Apply a systematic approach to properly start any mobile, web or desktop software project
  • Organize the flow of any program
  • Organize projects' folders' structure, files names, and code
  • Code high quality, readable and maintainable code
  • Properly name variables and write good code comments
  • Simplify their conditional structures
  • Create good functions and classes

Syllabus

Introduction
Programming language syntax: the tip of the iceberg
Code design and construction: meta programming skills
How do you know when you are writing bad code ?
Read more

This quiz will strengthen the notions brought up by this coding history chapter.
These notions are still relevant today and will be used throughout this course.

Strengthen the code construction notions that will help you write more readable code.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores programming history and fundamental code design concerns like code coupling and cohesion, which provides a strong foundation for understanding modern software development practices
Teaches a systematic method to organize code, which is applicable to any software project and helps learners avoid getting lost in their own code
Focuses on code readability and maintainability, which are essential skills for collaborative projects and long-term software development
Requires a basic knowledge of programming language syntax, so learners without this foundation may need to acquire it before taking this course
Includes project activities that allow learners to apply the concepts taught using their own programming language and environment setup
Emphasizes object-oriented languages, so learners using other paradigms may find some concepts less directly applicable to their projects

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Code organization for self-taught

According to learners, this course provides a systematic method for code organization, applicable to any programming language. Students say it's particularly useful for self-taught coders needing structure beyond basic syntax. Reviewers praise the focus on writing clean, readable, and maintainable code. The practical activities are highlighted as beneficial for application. The course is well-structured. However, it assumes basic syntax knowledge and may be too introductory for experienced developers. Overall, it's a solid foundation for improving code quality and organization.
Includes the history of coding practices.
"Found the history section on structured design interesting."
"The background on coupling and cohesion was insightful."
"Learning the evolution of programming paradigms added context."
Applicable to multiple programming languages.
"I liked that the principles apply no matter which language I'm using."
"Great to see concepts explained without getting bogged down in one language."
"It's helpful that the ideas are universal, not just for one specific stack."
Includes hands-on exercises and projects.
"The project activities helped solidify the concepts for me."
"Applying the methods in the practice sessions made a big difference."
"Learning by doing with the guided project was effective."
Provides a clear framework for projects.
"I finally have a systematic way to approach organizing my code."
"The method taught gives a clear roadmap for starting any project."
"This course provides a great framework for structuring your code."
Emphasizes clean, readable, maintainable code.
"My code is so much cleaner and easier to read after this."
"The section on readability was incredibly helpful."
"Learning how to write maintainable code was a game changer."
May be too basic for very experienced developers.
"If you already have experience with larger projects, this might be a review."
"More experienced coders might find some parts too introductory."
"Good for moving past tutorials, but not advanced architecture."
Assumes prior knowledge of programming fundamentals.
"Make sure you know variables, loops, and functions before starting."
"This course isn't for someone who just started coding yesterday."
"You need a basic grasp of programming concepts to follow along effectively."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Code organization and readability for the self-taught coder with these activities:
Review Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Concepts
Solidify your understanding of OOP principles, as the course emphasizes object-oriented languages and design patterns.
Browse courses on Object-Oriented Programming
Show steps
  • Review the core concepts of OOP.
  • Practice implementing classes and objects.
  • Study examples of inheritance and polymorphism.
Create a Code Style Checklist
Reinforce your understanding of code style by creating a checklist to use when reviewing your own code.
Show steps
  • Review the course materials on code style.
  • Create a checklist of key code style elements.
  • Use the checklist when reviewing your code.
Read 'Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship'
Learn practical techniques for writing clean, readable, and maintainable code, directly complementing the course's objectives.
View CLEAN CODE on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book cover to cover.
  • Take notes on key principles and techniques.
  • Apply the principles to your own code.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Code Refactoring Exercises
Sharpen your refactoring skills by completing code refactoring exercises on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Show steps
  • Find code refactoring exercises online.
  • Complete the exercises, focusing on readability.
  • Compare your solutions with others.
Create a Code Style Guide
Solidify your understanding of code readability by creating a style guide for your preferred programming language.
Show steps
  • Research existing style guides.
  • Define your own coding conventions.
  • Document your style guide clearly.
Refactor an Existing Project
Apply the course's principles by refactoring an existing codebase to improve its organization and readability.
Show steps
  • Choose a project to refactor.
  • Identify areas for improvement.
  • Apply refactoring techniques learned in the course.
  • Document the changes you made.
Read 'The Pragmatic Programmer'
Gain a broader perspective on software development best practices, including code organization and readability.
View The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey To... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and highlight key takeaways.
  • Discuss the concepts with other developers.
  • Apply the principles to your projects.

Career center

Learners who complete Code organization and readability for the self-taught coder will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. This course helps any software engineer write cleaner code. The code organization and readability skills emphasized in the course directly translate to writing more maintainable, scalable, and collaborative software. This course's historical perspective, and its focus on fundamental design concerns such as coupling and cohesion, may strongly resonate with you. The course modules on project analysis, code design, and readability practices directly improve a Software Engineer's ability to deliver high-quality software solutions. The course's focus on readable code good practices can help you produce easy to understand code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Full-Stack Developer
A Full Stack Developer works on both the frontend and backend of web applications. This course is highly relevant for Full Stack Developers, as it addresses key challenges in code organization and readability across the entire application stack. The course's systematic approach to project analysis, code design, and readability practices ensures that Full Stack Developers can write cleaner, more maintainable code on both the frontend and backend. The knowledge of programming history you gain in the course, along with its focus on coupling and cohesion, may provide a unique perspective on code design. The course's cheat sheet may also come in handy. Ultimately, a Full Stack Developer can produce clean and readable code structures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer
Mobile Application Developer
A Mobile Application Developer builds and maintains applications for mobile devices. This course provides essential skills for mobile app developers who want to write clean, organized, and maintainable code. The course focuses on project analysis, code design, and readability practices, which are all crucial for successful mobile app development. The course's emphasis on folder structure, file naming, and code dispatch directly aid in organizing the complex structure of mobile applications. A Mobile Application Developer can use the systematic approach taught to tackle any mobile project. The ability to produce clean and readable code structures may be invaluable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Application Developer
Web Developer
A Web Developer creates and maintains websites and web applications. This course directly benefits web developers by teaching them how to organize their code for better maintainability and readability. The course emphasis on project analysis and code design may help Web Developers structure their projects effectively, ensuring a smooth development process. The modules on folder structure, file naming, and code dispatch can improve the organization of web projects. Ultimately, this course can enable Web Developers to create more robust and user-friendly web applications. The course's systematic method to tackle any software project may prove useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Backend Developer
A Backend Developer focuses on the server-side logic and databases of web applications. This course may be particularly useful for Backend Developers who want to improve their code organization and readability skills. The systematic method taught for tackling software projects can help Backend Developers design and implement scalable, maintainable, and efficient backend systems. The course modules on code design, folder structure, and code construction best practices are directly relevant to backend development. The course's project analysis phase, where you will learn to establish the requirements of your project and develop them into use cases scenarios, may provide a solid foundation for coding.
See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Developer
Frontend Developer
A Frontend Developer specializes in the user interface and user experience of web applications. This course's focus on code readability and organization can greatly benefit frontend developers striving to create clean, maintainable, and collaborative codebases. The course emphasis on project structure, file naming, and code dispatch improves the overall organization of frontend projects. The course's instruction in the redaction of projects requirements, mockups, uses cases and scenarios may prove useful. Frontend Developers can leverage the systematic approach taught to tackle any software project.
See salaries and explore the career path for Frontend Developer
Technical Lead
A Technical Lead guides and mentors a team of developers, ensuring code quality and adherence to best practices. This course enhances the leadership skills of Technical Leads by providing them with a framework for promoting code organization, readability, and maintainability within their teams. The course modules on code design, readability practices, and project structure directly aid in setting coding standards and guiding developers in writing cleaner, more understandable code. Also, the course's advice on how to write good comments may prove useful. This course can help a Technical Lead properly name variables and write good code comments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Lead
Software Architect
A Software Architect is responsible for designing the overall structure and architecture of software systems, typically requiring a master's degree. This course provides a solid foundation for aspiring software architects by instilling principles of code organization, readability, and maintainability. The course's emphasis on project analysis, code design, and fundamental design concerns such as coupling and cohesion are vital for architecting robust and scalable software systems. The understanding of coding history can also inform architectural decisions. The systematic approach taught to tackle any software project may be invaluable as well. This course will help a Software Architect establish project structure.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect
Software Consultant
A Software Consultant advises clients on software development best practices and project management. This course may be extremely helpful for Software Consultants, as it equips them with a systematic approach to code organization, readability, and maintainability. The course's emphasis on project analysis, code design, and readability practices enables consultants to provide valuable guidance to clients on improving their software development processes. Additionally, the course's advice on how to simplify conditional structures may prove useful. A Software Consultant can apply a systematic approach to properly start any software project.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Consultant
Data Engineer
A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data pipelines and infrastructure. This course may be valuable for Data Engineers who want to improve the organization and readability of their code. The course's emphasis on project structure, file naming, and code dispatch can improve the organization of data engineering projects. The course modules on code design and readability practices directly aid in writing cleaner, more maintainable code for data processing and analysis. This can help a Data Engineer code high quality, readable and maintainable code.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer focuses on automating and streamlining the software development lifecycle. This course may benefit DevOps Engineers by providing them with skills to improve the organization and readability of their code, particularly in infrastructure-as-code projects. The course's emphasis on project structure, file naming, and code dispatch can improve the overall organization of DevOps projects. The course modules on code design and readability practices may help ensure that infrastructure code is well-documented and easy to understand. The systematic approach taught to tackle any software project may be invaluable.
See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer
Game Developer
A Game Developer creates video games for various platforms. This course may be useful for Game Developers who want to improve the organization and readability of their game code. The course's emphasis on project structure, file naming, and code dispatch can improve the organization of game development projects. The course modules on code design and readability practices can directly aid in writing cleaner, more maintainable code for game logic and gameplay mechanics. A Game Developer may be able to simplify their conditional structures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer
Embedded Systems Engineer
An Embedded Systems Engineer develops software for embedded systems such as microcontrollers and IoT devices. This course may be helpful for Embedded Systems Engineers who aim to improve the organization and readability of their code for resource-constrained environments. The course's emphasis on project structure, file naming, and code dispatch can improve the organization of embedded systems projects. The course modules on code design and readability practices may aid in writing cleaner, more maintainable code for embedded devices. This can help an Embedded Systems Engineer properly name variables.
See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer
Quality Assurance Engineer
A Quality Assurance Engineer tests software to ensure it meets quality standards. This course may benefit Quality Assurance Engineers by providing them with a better understanding of code organization and readability. This understanding could help them develop more effective test strategies and better communicate with developers about code quality issues. The course's emphasis on project structure, file naming, and code dispatch can provide valuable context when analyzing code for potential defects. A Quality Assurance Engineer may then be able to organize the flow of any program.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates documentation for software and hardware products. While not directly involved in coding, this course may be somewhat helpful for Technical Writers by providing them with a foundational understanding of code organization and readability. This understanding can help them write more accurate, clear, and comprehensive documentation for developers and end-users. The course's focus on code structure, file naming, and commenting practices can inform the content and organization of technical documentation. This can help a Technical Writer properly name variables and write good code comments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Code organization and readability for the self-taught coder.
CLEAN CODE
Save
Classic guide to writing clean, maintainable, and efficient code. It covers principles, patterns, and practices for crafting code that is easy to understand and modify. It aligns perfectly with the course's emphasis on code readability and organization, providing practical advice applicable to any programming language. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.
CLEAN CODE
Paperback
Check
CLEAN CODE
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
The Pragmatic Programmer
Save
Offers practical advice on a wide range of programming topics, including code organization, design patterns, and testing. It emphasizes the importance of thinking critically about code and adopting a pragmatic approach to software development. It valuable resource for self-taught coders looking to improve their skills and build robust software projects. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.
The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey To Mastery,...
Hardcover
$$
Pragmatic Programmer, The: From Journeyman to Master
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Pragmatic Programmer - Edizione del 20°...
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Il Pragmatic Programmer: Guida per manovali del...
Kindle Edition
$$
(中文) The Pragmatic Programmer: access to the highest...
Paperback
$$
Pragmatic programmer (Korean Edition)
Paperback
$$$

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Rating
4.4 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
3.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Benjamin Melki
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores programming history and fundamental code design concerns like code coupling and cohesion, which provides a strong foundation for understanding modern software development practices
Teaches a systematic method to organize code, which is applicable to any software project and helps learners avoid getting lost in their own code
Focuses on code readability and maintainability, which are essential skills for collaborative projects and long-term software development
Requires a basic knowledge of programming language syntax, so learners without this foundation may need to acquire it before taking this course
Includes project activities that allow learners to apply the concepts taught using their own programming language and environment setup
Emphasizes object-oriented languages, so learners using other paradigms may find some concepts less directly applicable to their projects
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