When you’re first starting out in coding, it’s easy to get caught up in making things work—just getting that program to run is a big win! But here’s the thing: writing code that works is only part of the job. Writing clean and efficient code is just as important. Clean code is easier to read, easier to fix when things go wrong, and it’s a lot less stressful to maintain in the long run.

So, if you want to level up your coding skills and make sure your code stands the test of time (and gets a thumbs up from other devs!), here are some simple tips to help you write clean and efficient code.

1. Keep It Simple (and Sweet!)

It can be tempting to over-complicate things when you’re coding, especially when you learn new tricks. But here’s a secret: simpler code is often the best code. Try to keep your code as simple as possible so that anyone (including future-you) can easily understand it. Avoid fancy tricks unless they really make sense.

Tip: Aim for clarity. If someone else looks at your code, they should be able to understand what’s going on without too much effort.

2. Name Things Right

Good code has good names. Whether it’s variables, functions, or classes, giving things meaningful names makes a world of difference. You don’t want to spend time figuring out what a, b, or temp mean when you come back to your code weeks later, right? Names should tell the story.

Tip: Choose names that describe what the thing is, not how it works. A variable called totalAmount is way more meaningful than x or temp.

3. Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY is Your Friend)

Repetition in code is bad news. If you’re copying and pasting the same block of code all over the place, it’s time to stop. Instead, refactor that code into a function or class that you can call whenever you need it. Not only does it make your code cleaner, but it also makes it easier to fix problems later.

Tip: If you find yourself copying and pasting a lot, that’s a sign you should create a reusable function or class.

4. Don’t Optimize Too Early

This one’s a biggie. We all want our code to be super efficient from the start, but optimizing too early can lead you down a rabbit hole of unnecessary complexity. First, just make sure your code works. You can always go back and tweak it later if you need better performance.

Tip: Focus on getting the code working first. Once it’s running, then look for opportunities to make it faster or more efficient.

5. Refactor Regularly (and Don’t Be Afraid to Change It)

Don’t be afraid to revisit and refactor your code. Code that works today may not be the best solution tomorrow. If you find a better way to do something, go ahead and make that change. Refactoring your code regularly makes sure it stays clean and easy to manage.

Tip: Try the “Boy Scout Rule”—always leave your codebase cleaner than you found it.

6. Use Version Control (Even if You’re Solo)

It doesn’t matter if you’re working on a team or solo—version control tools like Git are essential. They let you keep track of every change you make, so you never have to worry about losing your work. Plus, they make collaborating with others a whole lot easier.

Tip: Commit your code regularly with clear, descriptive messages about what you changed. It’ll help you and your teammates when you need to review the code later.

7. Write Tests (They Save You Later)

Testing your code is like putting on a seatbelt. It might take some extra time, but it’s totally worth it. Writing tests helps catch bugs early, keeps your codebase stable, and ensures that things still work after you make changes.

Tip: Start with unit tests to make sure each part of your program works individually.

8. Pick the Right Data Structures

Using the right data structures can make a huge difference in how your code performs. Take the time to learn the basics of things like arrays, lists, stacks, queues, and hash maps. They’ll save you time and effort in the long run.

Tip: If you’re not sure which data structure to use, think about how you need to access or modify the data. That’ll help you choose the best one.