how not to run code reviews
TRANSCRIPT
How not to run Code Reviews
Viktor Malyi Software Testing Engineer
Garmin Würzburg GmbH, Germany
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Hallo!Software Testing Engineer Würzburg (Germany)
Earlier:Web-apps testing
Backend testingPerformance testing
iOS, Android apps testing
Leading testing teams
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What I do?
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Today
What do we think code review is?
What is code review in reality?
What to avoid?
What to pursue?
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Why doing Code Reviews?
Of course to find bugs!
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Other reasons for doing Code Reviews?
• To help• To teach/learn• Or to criticize?
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Code Review meetings
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„Over the shoulder“
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Remote reviews (tools-assisted)
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It’s not only about the code…
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Resistance to code review
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„Ego-Effect“
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Core Developers…
… get their reviews approved quicker*…
Impact of Developer Reputation on Code Review Outcomes in OSS Projects: An Empirical Investigation Amiangshu Bosu, Jeffrey C. Carver. Department of Computer Science, University of Alabama
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… and more often*Impact of Developer Reputation on Code Review Outcomes in OSS Projects: An Empirical Investigation
Amiangshu Bosu, Jeffrey C. Carver. Department of Computer Science, University of Alabama
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There is a problem
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You’re judged each time
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Do you feel that the code reviews you
do for other people are constructive
and clear?*
No 2 %
I don't know 31 %
Yes 67 %
*International online survey among IT-Professionals, November 2014, 310 participants
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Do you feel that code reviews
you do for other people have
been considered picky?*
No 21 %
I don't know 56 %
Yes 23 %
*International online survey among IT-Professionals, November 2014, 310 participants
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Why do you think your reviews are considered picky?*
*International online survey among IT-Professionals, November 2014, 310 participants
Not constructive and clear
“-1” numerous times
Too many emotions
Bad personal relations
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Multiple answers allowed
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Have you ever had a feeling that the one who reviews your code criticizes you personally and not your code?*
Yes 15 %
No 85 %
*International online survey among IT-Professionals, November 2014, 310 participants
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Which implications it has?
*International online survey among IT-Professionals, November 2014, 310 participants
Hard to get "+1"
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Multiple answers allowed
Non-constructive and emotional comments
I have to wait for review too long
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Words can hurt
„Never do this in such a way!“
„Why it’s used here at all?“
„It’s all wrong!“
„WTF!?!“
„It’s obvious!“
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What to pursue?
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Ask questions rather than make statements
You did it wrong…
What was the reason of…
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Don’t ask „Why?“
Why the variable is not local?
It seems that the variable…
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Praise/Reward/Honour
Well done!
Good job! Let’s add this to our coding standards!
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Use code conventions
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Project-specific checklist
• Based on experience • Includes critical programming issues • Includes common mistakes • Great source for teaching newcomers
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Review less, find more
Smart Bear case study on informal code reviews, 2006, 2500 reviews, 3.2 MLOC, 50 developers
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Explain more first
Smart Bear case study on informal code reviews, 2006, 2500 reviews, 3.2 MLOC, 50 developers
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Reviews must identify as many defects as possible, regardless of personality who „caused“ or found them
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PS
by SmartBear Software
