Levels of Code

Throwing together computer code isn't that tricky, but doing it well enough that it's usable in a serious enviroment requires a lot of work. Often programmers stop long before their code gets to an 'industrial strength' level (5 by this classification). 

For me the different levels of code are:

        1. Doesn't compile

        2. Compiles but doesn't run correctly

        3. Runs for the main logic

        4. Runs and handles all possible errors

        5. Runs correctly and is readable

And the bonus case:

        6. Runs correctly, is readable and is optimized

The level for any peice of code or system under consideration is it's lowest one; it's weakest link. Thus if the code is beautifully readable but doesn't compile then it is level 1 code, not level 5.

Level 1 can be random noise or it can only be slightly broken, but it doesn't matter. It wouldn't even be worth mentioning except that people sometimes check this level of code into their repositories, so it deserves its own level. Level 2 isn't much of an accomplishment either, but a lot of level 2 code actually makes its way into software unnoticed.

Level 3 is where most programmers stop, they get the main logic functioning, but then fail to deal with all of the problems that the code can encouter as it runs. This includes not checking returns from lower level calls and not being able to cope with the unavailability of shared resources like databases.

Level 4 involves being able to correctly deal with any type of external failure, usually in a way that doesn't involve a crash and/or manual intervention. Networks, databases, filesystems, etc. can all become unexpectantly unavailable. The code should wait and/or signal the problem. Once the resource is available again the code should automatically return to using it properly. Any incomplete work should be correctly finished. If the downtime period is short, except for a log entry it shouldn't even be noticed.

Level 5 is somewhat subjective, but not as much as most people might assume. Realistically it means that some other qualified programmer can come along and quite easy figure how to enhance the code. That doesn't mean the code will remain at level 5 after the changes, but it does mean that the work to change it won't vex the next coder. If they understand the domain and the algorithm then they will understand where to insert the changes. Indirectly this also implies that there are no extra variables, expressions or other distractions. It is surprising how little level 5 code is actually out there. 

Level 6 requires a deep understanding of how things work underneath. It means that the code meets all of the other levels while doing the absolute minimum amount of work and it also takes advantage of techniques like memoization when it's both possible and practical. Extremely rare, it is often the minimum necessary for code to be described as 'elegant'. Failed attempts to reach level 6 can result in the code dropping several levels, sometimes all of the way back to level 2, thus the expression about premature optimization being the root of all evil.

Level 4 code is often good enough, but going to level 5 makes it possible for the code to be extended. Level 6 is a very worthwhile and achievable goal, often seen within the kernel of sucessful products, but it's incredibly difficult to maintain such a high standard across a large code base.

In this classification I haven't explicitly dealt with reuse or architecture, but both of these are absolutely necessary to get to level 6 and certainly help to get to level 5. Readability is clearly impaired if similar chucks of code are copy-pasted all over the place. A good architecture lays out the organization that allows the underlying sections of the code to efficiently move the data around, which supports level 6. In general, disorganized code usually converges towards level 2, particullarly if it is under active development.