Code Style Essentials: Write Cleaner, Smarter and Maintainable Code Every Day

How writing clean code helps you write less of it

Posted by Hüseyin Sekmenoğlu on March 16, 2023 Architecture & Patterns

🧹 Formatting Isn't Optional

Clean code starts with clean structure. Saying formatting doesn't matter is like saying your team doesn't need desks.

  • Use consistent indentation.

  • Place curly braces on the same line (K&R style).

  • Avoid extra spacing and empty lines.

  • Your IDE should never be fighting your eyes.

🎯 Less Code, Better Code

Use expression-bodied members where it makes sense. Drop redundant private and this if the context is clear. Let the compiler do the typing with new() when the target type is obvious.

// Before
private string name;
public string GetName() { return name; }

// After
private string name;
public string GetName() => name;

📘 Explicit Types

var is great but not always. Prefer explicit types when:

  • The type is generic or not immediately obvious

  • You're reviewing unfamiliar code

  • Left and right types don't match (IReadOnlyCollection<> vs List<>)

Be clear about your intentions, not just your implementation.

🧠 Naming Matters

Name variables after what they hold. Name methods after what they do.
If a method is called LoadCustomer, it should do just that.
If you can't find the right name, the code might be doing too much.

🧩 Small Methods, Small Classes

A method should do one thing. If it's catching exceptions and writing logs, split it.
Class names like MongoHandler and MariaDbHandler might signal a design problem.
Instead, move logic into focused classes and let naming become natural.

🏗️ Solution Structure

More projects = more clarity.
Three-layer setups (Application, Domain, Infrastructure) are common. But if you're stuffing unrelated classes in the same project, it's time to split.

Every time you want to create a new folder, consider creating a new project instead.
Keep interfaces and DTOs separate from implementations.

🔗 Avoid Transitive Dependencies

In .NET Core, project references include everything their dependencies include.
This leads to hidden dependencies and weird cross-project links.
Keep your reference tree flat and predictable.
Use Directory.Build.props to control what's exposed.

✨ Embrace Modern C#

Modern C# is packed with features that reduce code and improve reliability:

  • Records
    Use records for DTOs. They’re immutable and concise.

  • Global Usings
    Keep files cleaner by avoiding repeated imports.

  • Switch Expressions & Pattern Matching
    More readable than nested if blocks.

  • Nullable Reference Types
    Cut down on NullReferenceException at compile time.

  • Code Generators
    Automate boilerplate. Let the compiler help you write less.

🧩 Interfaces Are Intentions

Use interfaces to define contracts, not just types.
Interfaces like IReadOnlyCollection<> help prevent misuse of mutable data.
They make testing simpler and keep your code focused.