Pull requests are an integral part of the software engineering process. At some point, you will either need to open your first pull request or review one submitted by a colleague. To help you navigate this essential aspect of development effectively, hereβs a concise checklist or guide that can assist you in creating impactful pull requests while minimizing unnecessary feedback.
Opening a PR
When you're ready to submit a pull request, follow these steps to ensure clarity and completeness:
Preparation
- π Branching: Ensure your changes are on a separate feature branch.
- π Commit Changes: Make sure your commits are well-organized and meaningful.
- π Check Files: Review which files are included in the commit to avoid unnecessary changes.
Documentation
- π PR Description: Write a clear and concise description of what the PR does, including:
- Purpose of the changes
- Any relevant ticket or issue numbers
- Key features or modifications
- π Test Plan: Outline how you tested your changes and any additional testing that may be required.
- π Migration Notes: If applicable, document any database migrations or breaking changes.
Quality Checks
Before opening the PR, ensure the following:
- π Formatting: Code is properly formatted according to project standards.
- π Type Checking: Run type checks (if applicable) to catch any type-related errors.
- π Testing: Ensure all relevant tests pass and consider adding new tests for new functionality.
- π Documentation Updates: Update any relevant documentation, such as READMEs or inline comments.
Reviewing a PR
When reviewing someone else's pull request, follow these steps to provide constructive feedback:
Initial Assessment
- π Read the PR Description: Understand what the author intended with the changes and how it relates to the associated ticket.
- π Mental Model: Formulate an idea of what you expect the changes to accomplish based on the description.
- π Diff Comparison: Mentally compare the changes in the PR with your expectations.
Code Quality Evaluation
- π Functionality Check:
- Verify that the code meets the requirements outlined in the ticket.
- Consider edge cases and potential side effects of the changes.
- π Code Style:
- Review for consistency in code style and formatting.
- Evaluate naming conventions for clarity and coherence.
- π Duplication and Complexity:
- Look for opportunities to reduce code duplication (DRY principle).
- Identify overly complex or coupled code that could be simplified.
Testing Review
- π Test Coverage:
- Ensure that unit tests adequately cover new functionality.
- Review integration and end-to-end tests if applicable.
- π Test Plan Evaluation:
- Assess whether the outlined test plan effectively covers all scenarios.
Final Checks
- π Documentation Review:
- Ensure that code is adequately commented where necessary.
- Check that any relevant documentation (e.g., READMEs) is updated.
- π Constructive Feedback:
- Provide clear, actionable feedback on areas for improvement.
- Engage in respectful discussions with the author if there are disagreements or clarifications needed.
- π Approval Process:
- Confirm that all your comments have been addressed before approving the PR.
- Conduct a final review to catch any missed issues before merging.
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