# clean-code-python [![Build Status](https://travis-ci.com/zedr/clean-code-python.svg?branch=master)](https://travis-ci.com/zedr/clean-code-python) [![](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.8+-blue.svg)](https://www.python.org/download/releases/3.8.3/) ## Table of Contents 1. [Introduction](#introduction) 2. [Variables](#variables) 3. [Functions](#functions) 4. [Objects and Data Structures](#objects-and-data-structures) 5. [Classes](#classes) 1. [S: Single Responsibility Principle (SRP)](#single-responsibility-principle-srp) 2. [O: Open/Closed Principle (OCP)](#openclosed-principle-ocp) 3. [L: Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP)](#liskov-substitution-principle-lsp) 4. [I: Interface Segregation Principle (ISP)](#interface-segregation-principle-isp) 5. [D: Dependency Inversion Principle (DIP)](#dependency-inversion-principle-dip) 6. [Don"t repeat yourself (DRY)](#dont-repeat-yourself-dry) ## Introduction Software engineering principles, from Robert C. Martin"s book [*Clean Code*](https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Code-Handbook-Software-Craftsmanship/dp/0132350882), adapted for Python. This is not a style guide. It"s a guide to producing readable, reusable, and refactorable software in Python. Not every principle herein has to be strictly followed, and even fewer will be universally agreed upon. These are guidelines and nothing more, but they are ones codified over many years of collective experience by the authors of *Clean Code*. Inspired from [clean-code-javascript](https://github.com/ryanmcdermott/clean-code-javascript) Targets Python3.7+ ## **Variables** ### Use meaningful and pronounceable variable names **Bad:** ```python import datetime ymdstr = datetime.date.today().strftime("%y-%m-%d") ``` **Good**: ```python import datetime current_date: str = datetime.date.today().strftime("%y-%m-%d") ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Use the same vocabulary for the same type of variable **Bad:** Here we use three different names for the same underlying entity: ```python def get_user_info(): pass def get_client_data(): pass def get_customer_record(): pass ``` **Good**: If the entity is the same, you should be consistent in referring to it in your functions: ```python def get_user_info(): pass def get_user_data(): pass def get_user_record(): pass ``` **Even better** Python is (also) an object oriented programming language. If it makes sense, package the functions together with the concrete implementation of the entity in your code, as instance attributes, property methods, or methods: ```python from typing import Union, Dict, Text class Record: pass class User: info : str @property def data(self) -> Dict[Text, Text]: return {} def get_record(self) -> Union[Record, None]: return Record() ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Use searchable names We will read more code than we will ever write. It"s important that the code we do write is readable and searchable. By *not* naming variables that end up being meaningful for understanding our program, we hurt our readers. Make your names searchable. **Bad:** ```python import time # What is the number 86400 for again? time.sleep(86400) ``` **Good**: ```python import time # Declare them in the global namespace for the module. SECONDS_IN_A_DAY = 60 * 60 * 24 time.sleep(SECONDS_IN_A_DAY) ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Use explanatory variables **Bad:** ```python import re address = "One Infinite Loop, Cupertino 95014" city_zip_code_regex = r"^[^,\\]+[,\\\s]+(.+?)\s*(\d{5})?$" matches = re.match(city_zip_code_regex, address) if matches: print(f"{matches[1]}: {matches[2]}") ``` **Not bad**: It"s better, but we are still heavily dependent on regex. ```python import re address = "One Infinite Loop, Cupertino 95014" city_zip_code_regex = r"^[^,\\]+[,\\\s]+(.+?)\s*(\d{5})?$" matches = re.match(city_zip_code_regex, address) if matches: city, zip_code = matches.groups() print(f"{city}: {zip_code}") ``` **Good**: Decrease dependence on regex by naming subpatterns. ```python import re address = "One Infinite Loop, Cupertino 95014" city_zip_code_regex = r"^[^,\\]+[,\\\s]+(?P.+?)\s*(?P\d{5})?$" matches = re.match(city_zip_code_regex, address) if matches: print(f"{matches['city']}, {matches['zip_code']}") ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Avoid Mental Mapping Don’t force the reader of your code to translate what the variable means. Explicit is better than implicit. **Bad:** ```python seq = ("Austin", "New York", "San Francisco") for item in seq: #do_stuff() #do_some_other_stuff() # Wait, what's `item` again? print(item) ``` **Good**: ```python locations = ("Austin", "New York", "San Francisco") for location in locations: #do_stuff() #do_some_other_stuff() # ... print(location) ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Don"t add unneeded context If your class/object name tells you something, don"t repeat that in your variable name. **Bad:** ```python class Car: car_make: str car_model: str car_color: str ``` **Good**: ```python class Car: make: str model: str color: str ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Use default arguments instead of short circuiting or conditionals **Tricky** Why write: ```python import hashlib def create_micro_brewery(name): name = "Hipster Brew Co." if name is None else name slug = hashlib.sha1(name.encode()).hexdigest() # etc. ``` ... when you can specify a default argument instead? This also makes it clear that you are expecting a string as the argument. **Good**: ```python from typing import Text import hashlib def create_micro_brewery(name: Text = "Hipster Brew Co."): slug = hashlib.sha1(name.encode()).hexdigest() # etc. ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ## **Functions** ### Function arguments (2 or fewer ideally) Limiting the amount of function parameters is incredibly important because it makes testing your function easier. Having more than three leads to a combinatorial explosion where you have to test tons of different cases with each separate argument. Zero arguments is the ideal case. One or two arguments is ok, and three should be avoided. Anything more than that should be consolidated. Usually, if you have more than two arguments then your function is trying to do too much. In cases where it"s not, most of the time a higher-level object will suffice as an argument. **Bad:** ```python def create_menu(title, body, button_text, cancellable): pass ``` **Java-esque**: ```python class Menu: def __init__(self, config: dict): self.title = config["title"] self.body = config["body"] # ... menu = Menu( { "title": "My Menu", "body": "Something about my menu", "button_text": "OK", "cancellable": False } ) ``` **Also good** ```python from typing import Text class MenuConfig: """A configuration for the Menu. Attributes: title: The title of the Menu. body: The body of the Menu. button_text: The text for the button label. cancellable: Can it be cancelled? """ title: Text body: Text button_text: Text cancellable: bool = False def create_menu(config: MenuConfig) -> None: title = config.title body = config.body # ... config = MenuConfig() config.title = "My delicious menu" config.body = "A description of the various items on the menu" config.button_text = "Order now!" # The instance attribute overrides the default class attribute. config.cancellable = True create_menu(config) ``` **Fancy** ```python from typing import NamedTuple class MenuConfig(NamedTuple): """A configuration for the Menu. Attributes: title: The title of the Menu. body: The body of the Menu. button_text: The text for the button label. cancellable: Can it be cancelled? """ title: str body: str button_text: str cancellable: bool = False def create_menu(config: MenuConfig): title, body, button_text, cancellable = config # ... create_menu( MenuConfig( title="My delicious menu", body="A description of the various items on the menu", button_text="Order now!" ) ) ``` **Even fancier** ```python from typing import Text from dataclasses import astuple, dataclass @dataclass class MenuConfig: """A configuration for the Menu. Attributes: title: The title of the Menu. body: The body of the Menu. button_text: The text for the button label. cancellable: Can it be cancelled? """ title: Text body: Text button_text: Text cancellable: bool = False def create_menu(config: MenuConfig): title, body, button_text, cancellable = astuple(config) # ... create_menu( MenuConfig( title="My delicious menu", body="A description of the various items on the menu", button_text="Order now!" ) ) ``` **Even fancier, Python3.8+ only** ```python from typing import TypedDict, Text class MenuConfig(TypedDict): """A configuration for the Menu. Attributes: title: The title of the Menu. body: The body of the Menu. button_text: The text for the button label. cancellable: Can it be cancelled? """ title: Text body: Text button_text: Text cancellable: bool def create_menu(config: MenuConfig): title = config["title"] # ... create_menu( # You need to supply all the parameters MenuConfig( title="My delicious menu", body="A description of the various items on the menu", button_text="Order now!", cancellable=True ) ) ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Functions should do one thing This is by far the most important rule in software engineering. When functions do more than one thing, they are harder to compose, test, and reason about. When you can isolate a function to just one action, they can be refactored easily and your code will read much cleaner. If you take nothing else away from this guide other than this, you"ll be ahead of many developers. **Bad:** ```python from typing import List class Client: active: bool def email(client: Client) -> None: pass def email_clients(clients: List[Client]) -> None: """Filter active clients and send them an email. """ for client in clients: if client.active: email(client) ``` **Good**: ```python from typing import List class Client: active: bool def email(client: Client) -> None: pass def get_active_clients(clients: List[Client]) -> List[Client]: """Filter active clients. """ return [client for client in clients if client.active] def email_clients(clients: List[Client]) -> None: """Send an email to a given list of clients. """ for client in get_active_clients(clients): email(client) ``` Do you see an opportunity for using generators now? **Even better** ```python from typing import Generator, Iterator class Client: active: bool def email(client: Client): pass def active_clients(clients: Iterator[Client]) -> Generator[Client, None, None]: """Only active clients""" return (client for client in clients if client.active) def email_client(clients: Iterator[Client]) -> None: """Send an email to a given list of clients. """ for client in active_clients(clients): email(client) ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Function names should say what they do **Bad:** ```python class Email: def handle(self) -> None: pass message = Email() # What is this supposed to do again? message.handle() ``` **Good:** ```python class Email: def send(self) -> None: """Send this message""" message = Email() message.send() ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Functions should only be one level of abstraction When you have more than one level of abstraction, your function is usually doing too much. Splitting up functions leads to reusability and easier testing. **Bad:** ```python # type: ignore def parse_better_js_alternative(code: str) -> None: regexes = [ # ... ] statements = code.split('\n') tokens = [] for regex in regexes: for statement in statements: pass ast = [] for token in tokens: pass for node in ast: pass ``` **Good:** ```python from typing import Tuple, List, Text, Dict REGEXES: Tuple = ( # ... ) def parse_better_js_alternative(code: Text) -> None: tokens: List = tokenize(code) syntax_tree: List = parse(tokens) for node in syntax_tree: pass def tokenize(code: Text) -> List: statements = code.split() tokens: List[Dict] = [] for regex in REGEXES: for statement in statements: pass return tokens def parse(tokens: List) -> List: syntax_tree: List[Dict] = [] for token in tokens: pass return syntax_tree ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Don"t use flags as function parameters Flags tell your user that this function does more than one thing. Functions should do one thing. Split your functions if they are following different code paths based on a boolean. **Bad:** ```python from typing import Text from tempfile import gettempdir from pathlib import Path def create_file(name: Text, temp: bool) -> None: if temp: (Path(gettempdir()) / name).touch() else: Path(name).touch() ``` **Good:** ```python from typing import Text from tempfile import gettempdir from pathlib import Path def create_file(name: Text) -> None: Path(name).touch() def create_temp_file(name: Text) -> None: (Path(gettempdir()) / name).touch() ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ### Avoid side effects A function produces a side effect if it does anything other than take a value in and return another value or values. For example, a side effect could be writing to a file, modifying some global variable, or accidentally wiring all your money to a stranger. Now, you do need to have side effects in a program on occasion - for example, like in the previous example, you might need to write to a file. In these cases, you should centralize and indicate where you are incorporating side effects. Don"t have several functions and classes that write to a particular file - rather, have one (and only one) service that does it. The main point is to avoid common pitfalls like sharing state between objects without any structure, using mutable data types that can be written to by anything, or using an instance of a class, and not centralizing where your side effects occur. If you can do this, you will be happier than the vast majority of other programmers. **Bad:** ```python # type: ignore # This is a module-level name. # It"s good practice to define these as immutable values, such as a string. # However... fullname = "Ryan McDermott" def split_into_first_and_last_name() -> None: # The use of the global keyword here is changing the meaning of the # the following line. This function is now mutating the module-level # state and introducing a side-effect! global fullname fullname = fullname.split() split_into_first_and_last_name() # MyPy will spot the problem, complaining about 'Incompatible types in # assignment: (expression has type "List[str]", variable has type "str")' print(fullname) # ["Ryan", "McDermott"] # OK. It worked the first time, but what will happen if we call the # function again? ``` **Good:** ```python from typing import List, AnyStr def split_into_first_and_last_name(name: AnyStr) -> List[AnyStr]: return name.split() fullname = "Ryan McDermott" name, surname = split_into_first_and_last_name(fullname) print(name, surname) # => Ryan McDermott ``` **Also good** ```python from typing import Text from dataclasses import dataclass @dataclass class Person: name: Text @property def name_as_first_and_last(self) -> list: return self.name.split() # The reason why we create instances of classes is to manage state! person = Person("Ryan McDermott") print(person.name) # => "Ryan McDermott" print(person.name_as_first_and_last) # => ["Ryan", "McDermott"] ``` **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ## **Objects and Data Structures** *Coming soon* **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ## **Classes** ### **Single Responsibility Principle (SRP)** ### **Open/Closed Principle (OCP)** ### **Liskov Substitution Principle (LSP)** ### **Interface Segregation Principle (ISP)** ### **Dependency Inversion Principle (DIP)** *Coming soon* **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)** ## **Don"t repeat yourself (DRY)** *Coming soon* **[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**