True full stack in #fintech. Analysis, solutionizing, developing and delivering.
Mostly working in dotnet and javascript, with a passion for process optimising!
How do you make time to review code?
You make it part of the process. Allocate 15 minute tasks to every piece of work for code review. It can be formal or informal, just make sure you schedule it and make it a requirement of checking in any work.
"we could afford to spend the time and people on such tasks which is not the case here." isn't really an argument. If you are saying your company cannot make time for code review, re-phrase this as "We don't care about introducing technical debt into our product, or checking things meet requirements"
What do you do if there isn't a reviewer available who can understand that code or programming language?
It doesn't get checked in. If nobody can understand the code then checking it in will just create technical debt or reliance on the person that made it.
They should be able to at the very least tie the code to the original spec, or produce documentation explaining it. Even if the code reviewer isn't familiar with the specific language, I would expect most developers to be able to walk through a solution and at least understand the approach being taken.
How do you resolve disputes when the reviewers and the authors are the same technical level?
This is standard conflict resolution, both sides make their argument and as a team you decide the action taking into account the desired output and the pro/con of each approach. One important thing is to make sure nobody is starting work without an agreed requirement/output so it makes it easier. For pure technical dispute (i.e. you should have used library X), it should fall to the technical lead to have the final say, but ultimately it's a management decision of whether you refactor the work to take the most "desired" approach, or accept what has been done. So many variables.
Good luck! It should be an easy one to fight for - I am yet to meet a manager who won't allocate time when using the re-phrasing from above!
How do you make time to review code?
You make it part of the process. Allocate 15 minute tasks to every piece of work for code review. It can be formal or informal, just make sure you schedule it and make it a requirement of checking in any work.
"we could afford to spend the time and people on such tasks which is not the case here." isn't really an argument. If you are saying your company cannot make time for code review, re-phrase this as "We don't care about introducing technical debt into our product, or checking things meet requirements"
What do you do if there isn't a reviewer available who can understand that code or programming language?
It doesn't get checked in. If nobody can understand the code then checking it in will just create technical debt or reliance on the person that made it.
They should be able to at the very least tie the code to the original spec, or produce documentation explaining it. Even if the code reviewer isn't familiar with the specific language, I would expect most developers to be able to walk through a solution and at least understand the approach being taken.
How do you resolve disputes when the reviewers and the authors are the same technical level?
This is standard conflict resolution, both sides make their argument and as a team you decide the action taking into account the desired output and the pro/con of each approach. One important thing is to make sure nobody is starting work without an agreed requirement/output so it makes it easier. For pure technical dispute (i.e. you should have used library X), it should fall to the technical lead to have the final say, but ultimately it's a management decision of whether you refactor the work to take the most "desired" approach, or accept what has been done. So many variables.
Good luck! It should be an easy one to fight for - I am yet to meet a manager who won't allocate time when using the re-phrasing from above!
Thank you, this is all really useful 😊