The Mikado Color Code is a set of programming guidelines developed by Ola Ellnestam to improve code readability and maintainability. The guidelines use a color coding system to help developers quickly identify different parts of the code, making it easier to understand and modify.
The Mikado Color Code consists of three main categories:
- The Core
- The Configuration
- The Optional
The Core contains the basic code structure and is mandatory in all code. The Configuration contains the settings and options that can be customized, and the Optional category contains code that is not necessary but may be helpful or recommended.
Let's take a look at each category in more detail.
The Core:
The Core category contains the basic code structure that is mandatory in all code. Here are the different colors used in the Core category and their meanings:
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Black: Black is used for any code that doesn't fit into any of the other categories.
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White: White is used for any code that is necessary but should be hidden from the user. This includes any utility functions or private methods.
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Red: Red is used for any code that needs to be refactored or fixed. This includes any code that doesn't follow best practices or causes issues.
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Green: Green is used for any code that is complete and ready to be used. This includes any methods or functions that are fully functional and don't need any more work.
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Yellow: Yellow is used for any code that is in progress or needs more work. This includes any methods or functions that are partially complete or need more testing.
The Configuration:
The Configuration category contains any settings or options that can be customized. Here are the different colors used in the Configuration category and their meanings:
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Blue: Blue is used for any settings that need to be changed depending on the environment or situation. This includes any database connection settings or API keys.
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Purple: Purple is used for any settings that need to be changed depending on the user or customer. This includes any account settings or user preferences.
The Optional:
The Optional category contains any code that isn't necessary but may be helpful or recommended. Here are the different colors used in the Optional category and their meanings:
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Gray: Gray is used for any comments or notes in the code. This includes any documentation or explanations of the code.
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Orange: Orange is used for any code that is recommended but not necessary. This includes any helper functions or redundant code that makes the code easier to read.
Now that we've gone over the different categories and colors used in the Mikado Color Code, let's take a look at some code examples.
Example 1:
Here's an example of a function that calculates the area of a rectangle using the Mikado Color Code:
public static int rectangleArea(int length, int width) {
// Core: Black
int area = length * width; // Core: Green
return area; // Core: Green
}
In this example, the Core category is used for the main code structure, with Black being used for any code that doesn't fit into the other categories. Since this function is complete and functional, Green is used for the main code and method return. There's no need for any custom settings or options in this example, so the Configuration category isn't used.
Example 2:
Here's an example of a function that retrieves a user's account information using the Mikado Color Code:
public static UserAccount getAccountInfo(int accountId, String apiKey) {
// Core: Black
if (apiKey.equals("123456789")) { // Configuration: Blue
// Core: Black
UserAccount account = new UserAccount(accountId); // Core: Green
return account; // Core: Green
} else {
// Core: Black
return null; // Core: Red
}
}
In this example, the Configuration category is used to set a custom API key that's required to retrieve the user's account information. Since this function is partially complete and needs further testing, Yellow is used to mark the main code structure. Black is used for any other code that doesn't fit into the other categories, Green is used for the main code and method return when the API key is correct, and Red is used for the method return when the API key is incorrect.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Mikado Color Code is a useful set of guidelines that can help improve code readability and maintainability. By using color codes to identify different parts of the code, developers can quickly understand and modify the code as needed. By following the Mikado Color Code, developers can create clean and efficient code that is easy to understand and maintain.
Example 1 from the previous article is a concise example of how the Mikado Color Code can be used to write code for a specific function, in this case for calculating the area of a rectangle. The function is written in such a way that it is easy to read and understand, with each part of the code having a specific purpose and meaning.
You'll notice that each color in the Mikado Color Code signifies a specific part of the code. The core is used for basic code structure, while configuration is used for settings and options that may be customized, and optional is used for code that is not necessary but may be helpful or recommended.
Example 2 from the previous article shows how the Mikado Color Code can be used to write code for a function that retrieves a user's account information. In this example, the Configurations category is used to set a custom API key that is required to retrieve the user's account information.
The goal of the Mikado Color Code is to make it easier for developers to understand and work with code. By using a color-coding system, developers can quickly identify and understand each part of the code, which can greatly improve their ability to modify and maintain code over time.
Some other benefits of using the Mikado Color Code include improved code readability, easier code modification, and reduced errors and bugs. By using the Mikado Color Code, developers can ensure that their code is written in such a way that is easy to understand and modify, making it more flexible and adaptable to changing requirements or user needs.
To make use of the Mikado Color Code in your own projects, it's important to be familiar with the different colors and their meanings. Using the right colors in the right context is the key to effective use of this code standard.
By following the Mikado Color Code, developers can create more efficient and functional code that is also much easier to read and understand. This code standard is a valuable tool for all developers who want to improve their code quality and make their development process more streamlined and cost-effective.
Popular questions
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What are the three main categories in the Mikado Color Code?
Answer: The three main categories in the Mikado Color Code are the Core, the Configuration, and the Optional. -
Why is the Mikado Color Code useful for developers?
Answer: The Mikado Color Code is useful for developers because it makes it easier to understand and modify code by using a color-coding system to identify different parts of the code. -
How does the Mikado Color Code improve code readability?
Answer: The Mikado Color Code improves code readability by making it clear which parts of the code have specific functions or meanings. This makes it easier to follow and understand the code as a whole. -
What is the difference between the Configuration and the Optional category in the Mikado Color Code?
Answer: The Configuration category contains settings and options that can be customized, while the Optional category contains code that is not necessary but may be helpful or recommended. -
How does the Mikado Color Code help reduce errors and bugs in code?
Answer: The Mikado Color Code can help reduce errors and bugs in code by making code more readable and easier to understand, which means developers are less likely to accidentally introduce mistakes or errors during the coding process.
Tag
Chromatics