What are some common code review pitfalls and how to avoid them?

1 Pitfall 1: Not having clear goals and expectations

One of the first pitfalls of code reviews is not having clear goals and expectations for what the review should achieve and how it should be conducted. Without a clear purpose, code reviews can become unfocused, inconsistent, or irrelevant. To avoid this pitfall, you should define the goals and expectations of code reviews in your team or project, such as what kind of feedback you want, what standards you follow, and what tools you use. You should also communicate these goals and expectations to the reviewers and the authors, and make sure they are aligned and understood.

2 Pitfall 2: Giving too much or too little feedback

Another common pitfall of code reviews is giving too much or too little feedback. Too much feedback can overwhelm or discourage the author, while too little feedback can miss important issues or opportunities for improvement. To avoid this pitfall, you should balance the quantity and quality of feedback, and focus on the most relevant and impactful points. You should also prioritize the feedback according to the severity and urgency of the issues, and use positive and constructive language to convey your suggestions.

3 Pitfall 3: Being too vague or too specific

A related pitfall of code reviews is being too vague or too specific in your feedback. Vague feedback can be unclear, confusing, or ambiguous, while specific feedback can be nitpicky, trivial, or personal. To avoid this pitfall, you should be clear and concise in your feedback, and provide concrete examples and explanations for your comments. You should also avoid commenting on style or preference issues that are not related to the goals and expectations of the code review, and respect the author's choices and autonomy.

4 Pitfall 4: Not reviewing the whole context

Another pitfall of code reviews is not reviewing the whole context of the code. This means only looking at the changes in isolation, without considering the impact on the rest of the codebase, the functionality, the performance, or the user experience. To avoid this pitfall, you should review the whole context of the code, and test it locally or on a staging environment if possible. You should also check the documentation, the tests, and the commit messages, and ask questions if you are unsure about anything.

5 Pitfall 5: Not being respectful and collaborative

The last pitfall of code reviews is not being respectful and collaborative in your communication. This means being rude, arrogant, aggressive, or defensive, or ignoring or dismissing the feedback from others. To avoid this pitfall, you should be respectful and collaborative in your communication, and treat code reviews as a learning and sharing opportunity. You should also appreciate and acknowledge the feedback from others, and respond politely and promptly. You should also avoid conflicts and arguments, and seek consensus or compromise if needed.

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?