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Code review is when other developers examine your code before it's merged into the main codebase. It's like having a second pair of eyes proofread your essay — they catch mistakes, suggest improvements, and ensure quality.
What Happens in Code Review:
- Developer writes code and creates a pull/merge request
- Other developers review the code
- Reviewers provide feedback (approve, request changes, comment)
- Developer addresses feedback
- Code gets approved and merged
Benefits:
- Catch bugs: Find issues before they reach production
- Knowledge sharing: Team learns from each other
- Code quality: Ensures standards and best practices
- Documentation: Reviews explain why code is written a certain way
- Team alignment: Everyone understands the codebase
What Reviewers Look For:
- Correctness: Does it work as intended?
- Readability: Is it easy to understand?
- Performance: Are there efficiency issues?
- Security: Any vulnerabilities?
- Testing: Are there adequate tests?
- Style: Follows team conventions?
FAQ
How long should code reviews take?
Ideally within 24 hours. Quick reviews keep development moving. Complex changes might take longer.
What if I disagree with feedback?
Discuss it! Code review is a conversation. Explain your reasoning, and reviewers can explain theirs. Find the best solution together.
Do small changes need review?
Usually yes, but teams set their own policies. Even small changes benefit from a quick check.