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Code Smells: Common Patterns to Watch For

By Habib Pourfard

Code smells are patterns that hint at deeper problems in your software. They don’t always mean something is broken, but they are a warning sign that code could be improved.

Spotting and fixing code smells early keeps your project healthy and easy to maintain. It’s a skill that helps you write better code and avoid big refactoring jobs later.

Chef sniffing food in a kitchen, wrinkling nose at a pot
Imagine a chef checking food in a kitchen. If something smells funny, it doesn’t mean it’s ruined—but the chef knows to check for problems before serving.

Real-Life Analogy: A Chef Smelling the Food

A good chef notices a strange smell and checks the pot before serving. Developers should do the same with code: when something “smells off,” check and fix it before it becomes a problem.

  • Bad smells are hints, not proof, of trouble.
  • Checking early saves a lot of work later.

Common Code Smells

Watch for repeated code, long methods, big classes, too many arguments, and unclear names. These all hint at trouble beneath the surface.

  • Duplicated code in many places
  • Functions that do too much
  • Classes with too many responsibilities
  • Poorly named variables or methods

What to Do About Smells

When you spot a code smell, take time to investigate. It might be a quick fix, or it may require more thought and planning.

  • Refactor code in small, safe steps.
  • Ask for a second opinion from teammates.

Final Thoughts

Code smells are a developer’s early warning system. By noticing and acting on them, you keep your codebase healthy and ready for growth.