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Please keep code descriptions simple

Please keep code descriptions simple

Tech Akselmo.dev
Maintainable code reviews require atomic commits and descriptions that explain why a change was made, not just what was changed.
What: Akseli Lahtinen argues that bloated commit messages and non-atomic code reviews impede efficiency; developers should use 'git amend' and squashing to keep changes small and focused.
Why it matters: As AI-generated code and massive pull requests increase, the cognitive load on reviewers has spiked, necessitating a return to tighter, more intentional code hygiene.
Takeaway: Rebase your branches and squash your commits before a merge request to ensure each commit is atomic and represents a distinct, readable change.
Deep dive
  • Prioritize 'why' over 'what' in commit messages and documentation.
  • Keep commits atomic to allow for easier, granular reviews.
  • Use git amend to clean up local history before submitting.
  • Rebase and squash commits to maintain a clean project history.
  • Avoid relying on AI to write documentation for changes you do not personally understand.
Decoder
  • Atomic commit: A commit that performs one specific task, ensuring that the entire set of changes is either applied or reverted together.
  • Squash: The process of merging multiple sequential commits into a single commit to simplify repository history.
Original article

Please keep code descriptions simple

Just something I experience more and more these days.

When it comes to reviewing code, the descriptions, commits and such can be massive blast of information: Full of extraneous details depicting what was changed. The main point is why was something changed. And often in only one huge commit with massive diffs.

I'm sorry but my poor ADHD brain can't take this very well. I don't want to read a novel. Usually blurbs of text are fine: Extraneous detail I can ask about if I need to know.

So this is my plea, from accessibility-ish(?) standpoint, to keep commit messages, merge request descriptions and code comments clear, to the point, need-to-know basis. Do not explain what, but why. Usually the code itself is enough to tell rest of the story. If not, I will ask questions. That's why it's a review.

It's easy to think that having huge description with all and everything is the way to go, but it will just make it slower for people like me to review it. I can barely concentrate already..

Then commits should always be atomic, especially during merge review. Use git amend to make small changes. Before merging, rebase and clean up, or squash. But try your best keep commits atomic: changes that can stand alone.

(Note that this is not aimed at any specific individual, I just finally had brains to write this post since I was reminded of the topic.)

If you use LLM tools, please still write comments, descriptions, commit messages etc. yourself. It helps you to understand whats going on, and it's more accessible for me to review. (Or better yet, try to avoid these tools if you can. I don't think anyone actually needs them. You're good enough without, I promise!)

edit: Seems people are upset about me mentioning accessiblity there. I do not know what is the best way to describe it. But you can just ignore this blog post if it annoys you.

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