Article · 8 min read

9 Criteria to Evaluate an Existing Software Code Base

Siobhan Green · ICTworks Free Intermediate

Nine plain-English dimensions for judging an existing codebase (readability, adaptability, maintainability, and so on), each phrased as a question you can ask. It is aimed at people commissioning software, not writing it, so the language stays practical. A good frame for the 'can someone else safely change this?' part of your answer.

  • Judge readability, adaptability, and maintainability separately
  • Frame each criterion as a question to ask the reviewer
  • Learn the project's history before you judge the code
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The question it answers

  1. How do I evaluate the code quality of a build I inherited from an agency?

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