What are the best ways to test scientific computing?

3 Use code analysis

Code analysis is the practice of examining the code for potential errors, bugs, vulnerabilities, or inefficiencies, which can be done using tools such as static analyzers, linters, or profilers. This method of evaluation can help you improve the readability, maintainability, and performance of your code, as well as comply with coding standards and best practices. To use code analysis effectively, use a code analyzer to check for syntax errors, style issues, or security risks. Additionally, a code formatter should be used to automatically format your code according to a consistent style. Moreover, a code profiler can measure the execution time and memory usage of your code and identify bottlenecks or leaks. Lastly, a code coverage tool should be used to measure how much of your code is tested by your tests and identify gaps or redundancies.

4 Use documentation

Documentation is an important practice of writing and maintaining text that explains the purpose, functionality, and usage of your code. This includes comments, docstrings, and user guides, which can help you and others understand, debug, and modify your code. To write effective documentation, you should adhere to some principles. For example, use a documentation standard such as numpydoc or Google to write consistent and structured docstrings for your modules, classes, functions, and variables. Additionally, you can use a documentation generator like Sphinx or pdoc to automatically generate HTML or PDF documents from your docstrings and source code. Furthermore, consider using a documentation hosting service like Read the Docs or GitHub Pages to publish and share your documentation online. Finally, use a documentation testing tool such as doctest or sphinx-testing to check that your documentation examples are correct and up-to-date.

5 Use peer review

Peer review is the practice of having other developers review your code before it is merged into the main branch or released to the users. This can help you find and fix errors, improve code quality, and learn from feedback. To conduct effective peer reviews, you should use a code review tool, such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket, to create pull requests, comment on code changes, and approve or reject merges. Additionally, you should use a code review checklist to guide your review process and ensure that all aspects of code quality, functionality, and style are covered. Furthermore, you should use a code review culture to foster a collaborative and constructive environment where reviewers and authors respect each other and share their knowledge and experience.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?