How to Write Good Code

The oft though-provoking XKCD published a flow chart recently, called Good Code (XKCD), which outlines the two branches: doing it fast or doing it right. The chart is linked below.

Despite the panacea of Agile Development, you still can’t have both fast and right. While it is possible to write good code, the odds are good that that code will accomplish a task that no longer requires completion (indicated by the “requirements have changed” block).

Even if it’s decent code, it’s further quite likely that it is “code with concessions” and, though it works, there are a forest of TODOs and missing integration tests blighting your conscience.