Overengineering in code: Programming for the Sake of Programming?

Recently, a situation in one of my pull requests made me reflect on the rationality of certain approaches in programming. My colleagues suggested removing comments from the code and splitting it into components. This made me think that sometimes code optimization turns into overengineering, which is the unnecessary complexity justified not by practical needs but by the ideals of "proper" code. Let’s delve deeper into this topic.

Example Code

Let’s consider a simple example of code:

<!-- Spinner -->
<div class="animate-spin rounded-full h-32 w-32 border-t-4 border-b-4 border-gray-300" />
<!-- Text -->
<div class="mt-8 text-center">
  Loading...
</div>

This code is straightforward: one part handles the spinner, and the other handles the text. The comments make it easy to understand what is happening. However, the suggestions for refactoring were as follows:

1. Remove comments.
2. Split the code into separate components.

Pros and Cons of Comments in Code

Arguments "for" Comments:

1. Simplifies code readability: Comments help quickly understand the purpose of code blocks without delving into implementation details.
2. Supports teamwork: In a team with varying levels of knowledge and experience, comments can be a valuable guide for new team members.
3. Reduces cognitive load: A quick glance at a comment allows the developer to focus on more important parts of the work without getting distracted by code analysis.

Arguments "against" Comments:

1. Redundancy: Code should be self-documenting, and if it requires comments to be understood, it may indicate that the code is not clear enough on its own.
2. Maintaining comments: Over time, comments can become outdated if not maintained along with the code, potentially misleading other developers.
3. Reduces readability: If there are too many comments, it can clutter the source file and detract from the overall readability.
4. Splitting into Components

Arguments "for" Components:

1. Reusability: Components allow code to be reused in other parts of the application, increasing efficiency.
2. Separation of concerns: Each component is responsible for a single function, making testing and maintenance easier.
3. Better code organization: Composing code from components often results in a cleaner, more modular architecture.

Arguments "against" Components:

1. Complexity: Excessive decomposition can add unnecessary complexity to a project, making navigation and understanding of the system harder.
2. Overengineering: Breaking even simple elements into components can turn into "programming for the sake of programming" without clear benefits for the final product.
3. Increased number of files: The more components there are, the more files are added to the project, complicating its structure and navigation.

My Opinion
Personally, I believe that using comments and keeping the code simple have their advantages, especially when the code is straightforward and easy to understand. In this example, comments serve as markers and help quickly grasp the purpose of code blocks. Splitting such code into separate components might lead to unnecessary complication.

That said, I acknowledge that each approach has its strengths, and depending on the project context, different practices might be beneficial. It’s essential to find a balance between maintainability and overcomplication.

Please share your thoughts on this. How do you balance simplicity and structure in your projects?